Rule based bi-directional transformation of UML2 activities into petri nets

Abstract

Many modern software models and notations are graph based. UML 2 activities are important notations for modelling different types of behavior and system properties. In the UML 2 specification it is suggested that some forms of activity types are based on Petri net formalisms. Ideally the mapping of UML activities into Petri nets should be bi-directional. The bi-directional mapping needs to be simplified and operational. Model-to-Model mapping in theory offers the advantage of fully operational bi-directional mapping between different models or formalisms that share some common properties. However in reality this is not easily achievable because not all the transformations are similar. Previous work was presented where it was shown how Triple Graph Grammars are useful to achieve this mapping. UML 2 activities have some common properties with Petri nets. There are exceptions which require some special attention. In this paper a simple condensed rule based solution for complete bi-directional mapping or transforming UML 2 activities into Petri nets is presented. The solution should be operational, and can be represented using different notations. A practical example is used to illustrate the bi-directional transformation possibility and conclusions are explained.