Identifying Instances of Model Design Patterns and Antipatterns Using Model Clone Detection

A hurdle in the growth of model driven software engineering is our ability to evaluate the quality of models automatically. One perspective is that software quality is a function of the existence, or lack thereof, of good and bad properties, also known as patterns and antipatterns, respectively. In this paper, we introduce the notion of using model clone detection to detect model pattern and antipattern instances by looking for models that are cross clones of pattern models. By detecting patterns at the model level, analysis is accomplished earlier in the engineering process, can be applied to primarily model-based projects, and remains at the same level of abstraction that engineers are used to. We outline the process of using model clone detection for this purpose, including representing the patterns and detection of instances. We present some Simulink examples of pattern representations and discuss future work and research in the area.