Approaching the Model-Driven Generation of Feedback to Remove Software Performance Flaws

The problem of interpreting results of performance analysis and providing feedback on software models to overcome performance flaws is probably the most critical open issue in the field of software performance engineering. Automation in this step would help to introduce performance validation as an integrated activity in the software lifecycle, without dramatically affecting the daily practices of software developers. In this paper we approach the problem with model-driven techniques, on which we build a general solution. Basing on the concept of performance antipatterns, that are bad practices in software modeling leading to performance flaws, we introduce metamodels and transformations that can support the whole process of flaw detection and solution. The approach that we propose is notation-independent and can be embedded in any (existing or future) concrete modeling notation by using weaving models and automatically generated model transformations. Finally, we discuss the issues opened from this work and the future achievements that are at the hand in this domain thanks to model-driven techniques.