Model Based Application Generation
Model-Based Application Generation (MBAG) is a methodology and technology for fully automated creation and provision of web-based software applications through application model execution and processing at runtime without any programming (“No Code”). Modeling tools are used with a web-based application platform to generate and execute web-based software applications. The technology has been granted a patent by the US Patent and Trademark Office in 2019 US patent 10296305. It has also been registered for a patent at the European Patent Office (EP 14789530.4).
Definition
The platform-integrated tools in MBAG implement the business logic of a desired software application with the generic and configurable components available in the application platform. Execution and provision of a software solution at runtime is done through the configuration defined in the application model.[1]
MBAG constitutes the following core elements to fuel application generation and provision
Application Model
- An application model fully describes the business logic of a desired application. It can be used to generate the application at the run-time.
- The application model comprises a meta-model and an application configuration model. The metamodel defines the generic data structure for metadata elements, the basic processes, behavior, the user interface, and other components of a desired application solution. The application configuration model concretizes the meta model and defines the data objects for the application. It also determines the interaction of the various components of the solution. From a technical point of view, the application model consists of XML files.
Application Platform
- The Application platform comprises generic application components in a configurable form as well as several tools to model applications. The platform also hosts client specific databases and provides a runtime environment to execute the application models and to provide the respective applications.
- Users can log in to the application platform via network access and a browser.
Modeling Tools
- With the help of the tools integrated in the application platform (e.g. the Application Model Designer), the business logic of a desired application solution is modelled and the interaction of the various components of the solution is defined.
Client-specific Database
- The application platform hosts databases for clients, without individual clients having access amongst themselves. A client specific database contains the client specific application model and the data specific to the client application. Multiple client specific databases are stored in the central database of the application platform.
- Standard data models are stored in the central database (repository) of the application platform.
Model Engine
- The Model engine is the core part of the application platform and considered as an application generator, which uploads and executes the application model at runtime on the application platform after the user has logged in.
- The Model engine allows the metadata elements of the application model to be linked to the data from the client-specific database. It also configures the generic components and basic functions contained in the application platform according to the information stored in the application model. It executes conditions and specific commands of the user on a graphical user interface (GUI).
- The Model engine allows dynamic changes to the web-based application in the metamodel elements of the metamodel, and thus allows modification and generation of the application at runtime.
MBAG approach allows managing specific as well as standard application models on the application platform. With the help of the application model designer, standard application models can be customized and stored as a modified or client-specific application model in the application model repository.
Discussions
MBAG is a No-Code-technology/ methodology to create and provide applications at run-time by executing and processing domain-independent application models. Citizen developers can develop applications with the standard application models and application model designer.
It should not be confused with Model Driven Architecture (MDA) of Object Management Group (OMG), which is a software design approach [2], or with Model Driven Software Development, which is a technique used together with code generators and interpreters[3].
MBAG Tools
MBAG is an approach for application generation and provision. It has been implemented by B&IT Group, Berlin, through their product offering – i-taros No-Code Software Platform.[4] [5]
References
- ↑ Petri, Rudolf Markus. "Method and device for the automated production and provision of at least one software application". United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) (2019-05-21).
- ↑ "MDA® - The Architecture Of Choice For A Changing World". Object Management Group.
- ↑ da Silva, Alberto Rodrigues (2015). "Model-driven engineering: A survey supported by the unified conceptual model". Computer Languages, Systems and Structures. 43: 139-155. doi:10.1016/j.cl.2015.06.001.
- ↑ "No-Code-Softwareplattform i-taros patentiert". Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- ↑ Petri, Rudolf Markus (13 September 2019). "Software erstellen ohne Programmierung". B&IT Group.
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