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SCADE Model Diff

The SCADE Suite Model Diff enables the user to analyze and display the semantic differences between two SCADE models: the tool can be used to compare two different models or two versions of the same models, for instance, to highlight the modifications made to a model (i.e., information useful for subcontractors or another team). From identified SCADE elements, you can easily locate semantic differences between models and generate reports listing these differences.

Model Diff in SCADE GUI

SCADE Suite is able to compute the differences between two models. Computation is semantic-based and discards any graphical differences (i.e., due to moving and resizing operations, or symbol modifications). Yet, annotations and comments are taken into account. SCADE can distinguish between Added (A), Deleted (D), Changed (C), or Moved (M) SCADE elements. The results of model comparison are displayed via a tab of the Output Window and a specific Diff docking window.

Diff tab

The list of different objects is given in the Diff tab of the Output Window. From this tab, the user can easily locate in SCADE models the object related to the selected difference in the corresponding view.

Diff tab of the Output window

Diff window

The Diff Window is the specific docking window that displays the object(s) involved in the difference selected on the Diff tab. Each object is represented alone under its hierarchy and with all the semantic attributes used to compute differences and their values. The attribute values are highlighted in a different color when they are different. When locating Changed (C) or Moved (M) objects, SCADE displays both objects in the Diff Window to allow the user to compare models. If Added (A) or Deleted (D), only the left or the right panel is filled.

Diff docking window

Location

A double-click on the information displayed in the Diff tab and in the Diff window highlights the corresponding object in the model (in both models for the Changed or Moved objects).

Locating object differences due to moved or changed instances

Generating Reports

After having analyzed semantic differences between two SCADE models, the Diff Reporter allows the user to produce a complete report in a clear and understandable format and to formally trace all differences.

The document contains the list of all semantic differences found between both compared models. It is structured into main paragraphs reporting differences for each construct of the SCADE project tree (i.e., Packages, Operators, Libraries, etc.) where some differences are found between projects. Each difference is explicitly detailed, indicating its exact nature (added or deleted object, different attribute, different parent, different child). A hyperlink to the corresponding SCADE object in the models is also provided to facilitate the location of problems.

Generating a report about model difference analysis