EditQL: A Query Language for Evolving Models
Jutz, Benedikt
1; Pietron, Jakob; Raschke, Alexander; Burger, Erik
1
1 Institut für Informationssicherheit und Verlässlichkeit (KASTEL), Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
1; Pietron, Jakob; Raschke, Alexander; Burger, Erik
11 Institut für Informationssicherheit und Verlässlichkeit (KASTEL), Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
Abstract (englisch):
Context:
Technically sophisticated systems are the result of the joint work of several domain experts. However, the more people collaborate, the more important it becomes to make the model evolution and its single edit operations accessible and comprehensible for involved stakeholders.
Objective:
We developed the textual and semantic-aware query language EditQL. It enables domain experts to search for model versions, changes, and causing edit operations within a model's edit history. Based on an operation-based versioning system, the query language covers both edit operations and all model states.
Method:
We systematically elaborate the requirements of a query language for edit histories. Based on this, we present a DSL integrated into an existing modeling tool. We conducted a mixed-methods usability study with 15 participants in which they had to answer various questions about a model's evolution using EditQL.
Results:
All participants agreed on the usefulness of the query language, particularly the possibility of querying for semantic changes in the model. The measured \acf*{SUS} scores range from \textit{OK} to \textit{good}. ... mehr
Technically sophisticated systems are the result of the joint work of several domain experts. However, the more people collaborate, the more important it becomes to make the model evolution and its single edit operations accessible and comprehensible for involved stakeholders.
Objective:
We developed the textual and semantic-aware query language EditQL. It enables domain experts to search for model versions, changes, and causing edit operations within a model's edit history. Based on an operation-based versioning system, the query language covers both edit operations and all model states.
Method:
We systematically elaborate the requirements of a query language for edit histories. Based on this, we present a DSL integrated into an existing modeling tool. We conducted a mixed-methods usability study with 15 participants in which they had to answer various questions about a model's evolution using EditQL.
Results:
All participants agreed on the usefulness of the query language, particularly the possibility of querying for semantic changes in the model. The measured \acf*{SUS} scores range from \textit{OK} to \textit{good}. ... mehr
| Zugehörige Institution(en) am KIT | Institut für Informationssicherheit und Verlässlichkeit (KASTEL) |
| Publikationstyp | Zeitschriftenaufsatz |
| Publikationsjahr | 2026 |
| Sprache | Englisch |
| Identifikator | ISSN: 1619-1366, 1619-1374 KITopen-ID: 1000193526 |
| Erschienen in | Software and systems modeling |
| Verlag | Springer |
| Projektinformation | SFB 1608/1, 501798263 (DFG, DFG KOORD, SFB 1608) |
| Bemerkung zur Veröffentlichung | Postprint version accepted for publication |
| Schlagwörter | versioning, operation-based, query language, model evolution, usability study, collaboration |