A Graph-Transformation-Based Simulation Approach for Analysing Aspect Interference on Shared Join Points

Aspects that in isolation behave correctly, may interact when being combined. When interaction changes an aspect's behaviour or disables an aspect, we call this interference. One particular type of interference occurs when aspects are applied to shared join points, since then the ordering of the aspects can also influence the behaviour of the composition. We present an approach to detect aspect interference at shared join points. Aspect compositions are modelled by using a graph production system for modelling aspect-language semantics. A graph-based model of a join point is generated from the source-code of the system. This graph is transformed into a runtime-state representation. Combined with the production system (and the correct tooling) the execution of the aspects is simulated. This simulation results in a labelled transition system that can be used to analyse and verify different properties of the system at the join point. Simulation of the entire system can be computationally expensive. In our approach, we decide to abstract base system execution into non-deterministic valuation and carefully choosing advice semantics, such that simulation of the entire system can be avoided.