MetaEdit+

There are different ways of obtaining tool-support for model-driven development based on domain-specific languages. A key requirement for DSM tool support is the need for companies to define and maintain their own modeling languages and generators. A good DSM tool allows companies to focus on their language definition task while it provides the modeling tool for the languages instantly and automatically, with sufficient tool customization possibilities. Due to the nature of current development work, defined languages have to be applicable in multi-user, multi-platform environments and be easy to integrate with 3rd party development tools and distributed data sources.

The integrated metamodeling, modeling and code generation approach that MetaEdit+ follows achieves these objectives most effectively. Alternative approaches like coding from scratch, use of modeling frameworks (e.g. Eclipse GMF) or metamodel-based partial DSL tool generation (Microsoft DSL tools) require a large amount of investment (man-years) in building and maintaining the tool. They also lack language and generator distribution or their maintenance possibilities and/or are focused to a single-user or single platforms only.

MetaEdit+ makes language definition agile as users can define modeling languages without having to write a single line of code. They can test languages along with generators instantly during their definition process since no compilation is necessary. Once defined, languages are easy to distribute via a central object repository, which contains all metamodel and design model data, to which multiple users on heterogeneous platforms can connect. Users can furthermore integrate the MetaEdit+ tool, created design data as well as complete the development process with 3rd party development tools (e.g. requirements engineering, emulators, testing tools, code generators etc.) or external data sources conveniently via an open standards-based .Net/SOAP Web Services API.

If you are interested in an in-depth overview of MetaEdit+ please contact James L Hammond (james _at_ metacase.com, +358 14 4451 408).