A survey on model versioning approaches

TLDR

This paper surveys model versioning systems, characterizing their features and collaboration capabilities, and identifies urgent challenges for future development to support model‑driven engineering. The authors conduct a literature review to describe VCS features, focus on three‑way merging, and apply this characterization to current model versioning systems to identify challenges. The survey reveals multiple challenges that must be addressed to enable parallel model development, underscoring that robust model versioning is essential for successful model‑driven engineering.

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide a feature‐based characterization of version control systems (VCSs), providing an overview about the state‐of‐the‐art of versioning systems dedicated to modeling artifacts. Design/methodology/approach Based on a literature study of existing approaches, a description of the features of versioning systems is established. Special focus is set on three‐way merging which is an integral component of optimistic versioning. This characterization is employed on current model versioning systems, which allows the derivation of challenges in this research area. Findings The results of the evaluation show that several challenges need to be addressed in future developments of VCSs and merging tools in order to allow the parallel development of model artifacts. Practical implications Making model‐driven engineering (MDE) a success requires supporting the parallel development of model artifacts as is done nowadays for text‐based artifacts. Therefore, model versioning capabilities are a must for leveraging MDE in practice. Originality/value The paper gives a comprehensive overview of collaboration features of VCSs for software engineering artifacts in general, discusses the state‐of‐the‐art of systems for model artifacts, and finally, lists urgent challenges, which have to be considered in future model versioning system for realizing MDE in practice.