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Preface

The goal of this example is to demonstrate the features and implementation of a domain-specific modeling environment to the reader. The example will cover the issues of designing and implementing the modeling language, building tool support for it (including 100% code generation), working with it and finally extending it. Please note that certain parts of the example may require working hands-on to ensure the best understanding of the subject matter.

To explore the Watch example thoroughly, you must have installed the following:
Java Platform, Standard Edition Development Kit (JDK) for compiling the Java code produced by the example code generator. At the time of writing, the latest version is JDK 6 Update 4 and it is the version we have tested the Watch example with. Optional features presented in Chapters 4 (support for MIDP platform) and 5 (the use of MetaEdit+ API) require the installation of additional components – for more information about them, see their respective chapters.

 The JDK for Windows and Linux can be downloaded from http://java.sun.com. For Windows we recommend the default installation options suggested by the installer. On Linux we recommend the installation on /usr/local/jdk1.6.0_04. On Linux you must also manually register the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) plug-in for the web browser you are going to use to execute the generated code in. Instructions for this can be found at http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/install/jre/manual-plugin-install-linux.html.
 If you are installing the JDK somewhere else than in default or recommended directories or you are using another version than JDK 6 update 4, you have to change the code generator path definitions. Open the Generator Editor for ‘2008Models’ graph, locate the generator script called ‘__JavaPaths’ and edit the values of path variables to point to the correct directories ($winJDK for windows and $linuxJDK for Linux, respectively). Alternatively, you could compile and execute the code manually, or set appropriate symbolic links.
 In the Mac OS X platform, which is shipped with pre-installed JDK, we use and comply with its standard installation. If you need to change this, edit the value of path variable $macJDK in ‘__JavaPaths’ generator script. Additional changes to the ‘_create make for Mac OS X’ generator script may be required also.
A web browser with Java support.
MetaEdit+ Workbench for trying out the extensions presented in Section 2.5. The hands-on examples in Chapter 5 require either MetaEdit+ Workbench or MetaEdit+ with API support. The rest of the example can be explored with any version of MetaEdit+.

For further information about MetaEdit+ please refer to the ‘MetaEdit+ User’s Guide’, ‘MetaEdit+ Workbench User’s Guide’ or our web pages at http://www.metacase.com.

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