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Kermeta tutorial

How to install Kermeta

François Tanguy, Didier Vojtisek

Build date: 3-November-2006

Abstract

This tutorial is part of a serie of tutorials that explain step by step one of the aspect of Kermeta. This one shows how to install Kermeta workbench.

Table of Contents

Preface
1. Prerequisites
2. The first Eclipse starting
3. Kermeta Installation
3.1. Automatic installation
3.2. Manual installation

Preface

Kermeta is a Domain Specific Language dedicated to metamodel engineering. It fills the gap let by MOF which defines only the structure of meta-models, by adding a way to specify static semantic (similar to OCL) and dynamic semantic (using operational semantic in the operation of the metamodel). Kermeta uses the object-oriented paradigm like Java or Eiffel. This document presents various aspects of the language, including the textual syntax, the metamodel (which can be viewed as the abstract syntax) and some more advanced features typically included in its framework.

[Important]Important
Kermeta is an evolving software and d espite that we put a lot of attention to this document, it may contain errors (more likely in the code samples). If you find any error or have some information that improves this document, please send it to us using the bug tracker in the forge: http://gforge.inria.fr/tracker/?group_id=32 or using the developer mailing list (kermeta-developers@lists.gforge.inria.fr) Last check: v0.3.1
[Tip]Tip
The most update version of this document is available on line from http://www.kermeta.org .

Chapter 1. Prerequisites

  • Your operating system must use the 1.5 or above version of Java. If not, please visit the Java web page (http://java.sun.com/) and install the latest version of Java.

  • Your Eclipse installation is supposed to be minimal (no extra PlugIns installed after the original installation). It means that this tutorial will cover every necessary step to get Kermeta working with Eclipse.

Chapter 2. The first Eclipse starting

When you start Eclipse for the first time, you will be asked for a workspace location. This is just a directory used by Eclipse to store any project you will create in the future. The image below is the dialog box you should see. By default, Eclipse propose to create a workspace directory named "workspace" in your home directory.

Figure 2.1. 

At every Eclipse launching, you will be prompted for the workspace location. For now, we just click "OK" to open the main window of Eclipse. You should see appearing a window like the one below.

Figure 2.2. 

You can close the "Welcome" tab, it will be of no use for us. Now your window looks like this one :

Figure 2.3. 

Now let's proceed to the Kermeta installation.

Chapter 3. Kermeta Installation

There are two ways to install Kermeta: automatic and manual installation. In fact, there are no many differences between both.

3.1. Automatic installation

  • Step 2 : Sites update

    In the main menu of Eclipse, select > Help >> Software Updates >> >>>Find and install... A dialog box appears. Select "Search for new features to install" and click "Next >"

    Figure 3.1. 

    An other window appears. You can read "Updates sites to visit". From this window, you will add some sites that Eclipse uses to find and install PlugIns. But you don't know which sites you must add. That is the contents of the file you downloaded at step 1. Now click on "Import sites...". You are prompted to choose a file. Select the file you downloaded at step 1.

    Figure 3.2. 

    You should see the window below. Have a look at the sites list. It has been successfully updated.

    Figure 3.3. 

    [Caution]Caution

    Please check every sites so that your window looks like this one :

    Figure 3.4. 

    Click on "Finish". You will be asked to choose a location for some sites. Don't pay attention and click "OK" for all of them.

  • Step 3 : Kermeta installation

    After the step 2, a new window appears.

    Figure 3.5. 

    • Step 3.1 : Check "Kermeta Updates".

      Figure 3.6. 

    • Step 3.2 : You can see an error message at the top of the window. It means that some components are missing to run Kermeta properly.

      [Warning]Warning

      Due to an Eclipse bug, you have to open each site tree view by clicking on the arrow button.

      Figure 3.7. 

      Now click on "Select Required". Some items have been selected and the "Next >" button has been enabled. Click on it.

      A new window opened. This is for the using license of Eclipse. If you do agree with the terms, select "I accept the terms in the license agreement" and click on "Next >

      Figure 3.8. 

      A window summarizes the PlugIns to be installed. Click on "Finish". Now wait for PlugIns downloading. It can take several minutes depending on your connection.

      You are warned about an unsigned feature. No matter. Click on "Install All".

      Figure 3.9. 

      Finally, you are asked about rebooting Eclipse to take changes in account. Do it by clicking on "Yes".

      Figure 3.10. 

  • Step 4 : KerMeta Plugin checking

    To check if KerMeta has been well-installed, select in the main menu of Eclipse > Help >> About Eclipse SDK If you see the TopCaseD and Kermeta logos, the installation is a success.

    Figure 3.11. 

3.2. Manual installation

  • Step 1 : Sites update In the main menu of Eclipse, select Help > Software Updates >> Find and install... >>> A dialog box appeared. Select "Search for new features to install" and click "Next >"

    Figure 3.12. 

    An other window appears. You can read "Updates sites to visit". From this window, you will add some sites that Eclipse uses to find and install PlugIns.

    Figure 3.13. 

    We are going to add three sites by hand. To add a site, Eclipse needs an URL and a name for this site. Below, you will find the three couples name/URL for the three sites.

    Now for every site, click on "New Remote Site...". You are asked for a name and an URL. Fill them in with the information above.

    Figure 3.14. 

    You should see the window below.

    Figure 3.15. 

    [Caution]Caution

    Please check every sites so that your window looks like this one :

    Figure 3.16. 

    Click on "Finish". You will be asked to choose a location for some sites. Don't pay attention and click "OK".

  • Step 2 : See step 3 from automatic installation.

  • Step 3 : See step 4 from automatic installation.