CMOF-model semantics and language mapping for MOF 2.0 implementations

Meta-modelling programming frameworks enable engineers to deal with models, defined through object-oriented meta-models, in the environment of programming languages. Existing frameworks use redefinition relationships between meta-model classes to encourage reusable meta-model design. In contrast to existing platforms the upcoming MOF 2.0 OMG recommendation proposes the meta-modelling language CMOF that also includes the possibility to define redefinition, and sub-setting constraints between the properties of meta-model classes. In this paper we extend existing implementation strategies and language mappings to realize these new features in a MOF 2.0 implementation. We propose a Java language mapping for the CMOF-model, based on method overwriting with changing return types and generic collection types that allow reasonable static type safety. Furthermore, we describe the semantics that are needed to implement functionality for adding and removing property values that automatically yields sub-setting constraints