A three-dimensional taxonomy for bidirectional model synchronization

Early model-driven engineering (MDE) assumed simple pipeline-like scenarios specified by the Model-Driven Architecture approach: platform-independent models that describe a software system at a high-level of abstraction are transformed stepwise to platform-dependent models from which executable source code is generated. Modern applications require a shift toward networks of models related in various ways, whose synchronization often needs to be incremental and bidirectional. This new situation demands new features from transformation tools, and a solid semantic foundation to understand and classify these features. We address the problem by presenting a taxonomy of model synchronization types, organized into a 3D-space. Each point in the space refers to a specific synchronization semantics with an underlying algebraic model and the respective requirements for the change propagation operations and their properties. The taxonomy aims to help with identifying and communicating a proper specification for the synchronization problem at hand and for the available solutions offered by tools.