Modeling Interface Definition Language Extensions (IDL3+) Using Domain-Specific Modeling Languages

Model-driven engineering (MDE) of distributed real-time and embedded (DRE) systems built using distributed middleware technologies typically rely on interface definition language (IDL) to define interfaces and attributes of the system under development. Recent needs for using IDL to design and implement systems composed of heterogeneous communication architectures, however, has realized the limitations of IDL. To address these limitations, vendors have proposed several non-trivial extensions to IDL also known as IDL3+. In order to leverage such extensions in the modeling domain, it is necessary to update existing tools, e.g., domain-specific modeling languages) to support such extensions. This paper provides two contributions to MDE of DRE systems using domain-specific modeling languages (DSMLs). First, this paper highlights the technical challenges associated with modeling IDL3+. Secondly, this paper discusses how to overcome such challenges in the context of a representative DSML for modeling DRE systems designed and implemented using IDL3+. Experience gained from using DSMLs to model IDL3+ shows that DSML environments as is do not suffice and need improved application frameworks to support complex DSMLs, such as IDL3+.