Transformations and transformation configurations

A transformation converts elements of a source model to elements of a target model. The source and target model can be text files, code models, or UML models. When the source and target models are both UML models, the transformation typically converts the elements from one level of abstraction to another. A transformation configuration is an instance of a transformation that includes information that all transformations use, such as a unique name, the source, and the target of the transformation. When you run a transformation, it uses the information that you provide in the transformation configuration.

A transformation configuration can also include properties that are specific to a given transformation. When you run a transformation configuration, an instance of the transformation is created and is run with the properties that the configuration defines.

A transformation contains conversion rules, which convert one type of source element into one or more target elements. In addition to conversion rules, a transformation contains a mechanism that traverses the elements of the source model and that runs the appropriate rules based on the element type and rule-specific criteria. For example, a given rule might run only if the type of model element is a UML class with a specific stereotype. You might need to apply a particular UML profile to the source model before a transformation can successfully convert the source model elements into target elements.

Related tasks
Creating and modifying transformation configurations
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