Overview of MDA Modeler

Introduction to MDA Modeler

Welcome to the Objecteering MDA Modeler User Guide!

MDA Modeler is a unique and powerful tool, specialized in the definition of model extensions, transformation rules and MDA components, thereby allowing you to adapt Objecteering to your own specific needs.

Objecteering MDA Modeler is designed to cover UML-based MDA tooling at different levels. Up to 80% of MDA developments can be realized without writing a single line of code, and with no significant knowledge of the metamodel:

· the definition of diagram types, which are automatically built and updated, the definition of documentation templates, used to automatically generate documentation, and the definition of code generation templates, which automatically generate code from the model, are activities supported by the “model template” technology, currently patented by Objecteering Software. These complex tasks are now highly intuitive, thanks to dedicated graphic template editors, and can be conducted in a highly efficient manner.

· the definition of design patterns can be supported through the definition of a simple class diagram, using the standard “package merge” technology as defined in the UML 2.0 standard, and as extended by Objecteering Software, for complete and general coverage of pattern definition. Using this technology, the user needs only to draw a class diagram to get an implementation of complex model transformation rules.

· the definition of profiles and packages is supported by graphic modeling support, similar to package/class modeling, and supported by dedicated wizards.

For the remaining functionalities to be covered, Objecteering provides a powerful dedicated language, called “J”. J is a Java-like language that supports navigation and selection facilities similar to those provided by the OCL standard language. Very flexible and convenient for metamodel handling, J provides ways of quickly writing new macros or commands within Objecteering. The Objecteering metamodel, very close to that of UML, is documented and entirely accessible.

Profiles are predefined sets of stereotypes, tagged values and notes, used to collectively specialize and tailor UML to a specific domain or process. A profile does not extend UML through the addition of new basic concepts, but rather provides conventions for the application of the UML standard to a particular environment or domain. MDA Modeler provides users with a means of modeling profiles through dedicated toolbars, windows and diagram types.

Specialized model transformation services (for example, templates and patterns) also benefit from dedicated editors, designed to facilitate their design and development.

MDA Modeler drives the construction of MDA components in either Java or J through:

· specific “wizards”

· pre-defined diagram types

· specially adapted consistency checks

· the generation of dedicated documentation

· a straightforward packaging procedure

Objecteering MDA Modeler is an extension of Objecteering Modeler, available by deploying the MDAModeler MDAC. Objecteering MDA Modeler is used to model extensions, patterns, templates and MDA components, before packaging them ready for deployment and use in Objecteering Modeler using the MDARuntime MDAC (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The MDA Tool Suite