From multi-modal scenarios to code: compiling LSCs into aspectJ

Abstract

We exploit the main similarity between the aspect-oriented programming paradigm and the inter-object, scenario-based approach to specification in order to construct a new way of executing systems based on the latter. Specifically, we show how to compile multi-modal scenario-based specifications, given in the visual language of Live Sequence Charts (LSC), into what we call Scenario Aspects, implemented in AspectJ. Unlike synthesis approaches, which attempt to take the inter-object scenarios and construct intra-object state-based specifications, we follow the ideas behind the LSC play-out algorithm to coordinate the simultaneous monitoring and direct execution of the specified scenarios. We demonstrate our compilation scheme using a small application whose inter-object behaviors are specified using LSCs.