Creating or editing UML-to-Java transformation configurations

To generate output such as code from a source model, or to generate a model from code, you can run a transformation. To run a transformation, you must create a transformation configuration. A transformation configuration specifies information that a transformation requires to generate the expected output.

A transformation configuration has .tc as a file name extension and is located in the Eclipse workspace. To edit an existing transformation configuration, in a view that shows the workspace resources, double-click a transformation configuration file, which opens the transformation configuration editor.

Check the Problems view for error or warning messages after you save changes to a transformation configuration file. Depending on the error or warning that is displayed, you might not be able to run the transformation, or the transformation might generate unexpected output.

Creating UML-to-Java transformation configurations
To run a transformation, you can create a transformation configuration. A transformation configuration contains the information that the transformation uses to generate the output that you expect. A transformation configuration also contains information that is specific to a particular type of transformation.
Editing UML-to-Java transformation configurations
You can edit an existing transformation configuration to refine how the transformation generates output.
Enabling and configuring reverse transformations
You can enable a reverse transformation if it is supported and installed. Reverse transformations enable you to recover changes to the model or recover changes to source code. This process is useful when the model and code are developed concurrently.
Specifying sources and targets for UML-to-Java transformations
You can select the source model or model elements on which to run a transformation, and specify a location where the transformation generates target elements or files.
Generating getter and setter methods through UML-to-Java transformations
You can specify that the transformation generate a field with getter and setter methods for each UML property.
Generating code that is compatible with J2SE 5.0
You can specify that the transformation generates Java code that is compatible with the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) 5.0. This option is available only when you create or edit a UML-to-Java transformation configuration.
Specifying delete options for obsolete UML-to-Java transformation output
If you delete source model elements, you can specify whether or not the corresponding Java files that the transformation generates should be deleted when you rerun the transformation.
Specifying the Java collection types that UML-to-Java transformations generate
A collection represents a group of model elements. The collection type determines whether duplicate model elements in the collection can exist or whether the model elements are ordered. For each UML collection type in the source project, you can specify the Java collection type that the transformation generates.
Specifying alternate file names for UML-to-Java transformation output
When you run a transformation, the transformation assigns default file names to the files and folders that it generates. You can use the mapping feature to specify alternate names for files that the transformation generates without modifying the source model. For example, you can establish a file naming convention and use a mapping model to implement it.
Generating debugging information for UML-to-Java transformations
If a transformation does not generate the output that you expect, you can specify that the transformation generate a log file. A log file provides information about the source elements, the target elements, and the rules that the transformation applies to transform the source elements. If the transformation transforms many elements, you might experience decreased performance while the transformation generates the log file; therefore, you should only generate a log file for debugging purposes.
Running UML-to-Java transformations in silent mode
To prevent new dialog boxes from opening while a transformation runs, you can set the transformation to run in silent mode. If a reverse transformation is available and it supports silent mode, you can set the reverse transformation to also run in silent mode.
Creating relationships between UML model elements and UML-to-Java transformation output
You can specify traceability options when you create or edit a transformation configuration. When you specify traceability options, the transformation generates relationships between the source model elements and the transformation output. This function enables you to understand the relationship between source model elements and transformation output.

Parent topic: Transforming UML models into Java code

Related concepts

Transformations and transformation configurations