The First Step Towards Generic Modelling Tool

Abstract: The foundation of a generic modelling tool is its flexible diagramming facility. The paper proposes a universal graphical editor definition language based on logical metamodel extended by presentation classes. Some more advanced diagram definition facilities such as patterns and diagram cores are also introduced. Implementation principles of this language, based on Graphical Diagramming Engine are briefly described.Key words: modelling tool, graphical editor, metamodel, editor definition language 1. INTRODUCTION Why it is not sufficient to use “hard-coded” modelling tools? Let us consider for example the situation in business modelling . On the one hand there exist several well-known business modelling languages (IDEF3, ARIS etc), each with a set of tools supporting it. But there are also Activity diagrams in UML, whose main role now is to serve business modelling. There is GRADE BM [1,2] – a specialized language for business modelling and simulation. Thus for the area of business modelling there is no one best or most used language or tool, each of them emphasizes its own aspects. For example GRADE BM presents very convenient facilities for specifying performers of a task and its triggering conditions. However any new language feature does not come for free, the language becomes more complicated for use. Therefore one universal business modelling language which would support all wishes would become extremely difficult for use in simple cases. This issue is even more urgent for domain-specific modelling, where countless special notations are used for separate domains.