XMML: A Visual Metamodeling Language for Domain-Specific Modeling and its Application in Distributed Systems

Abstract

As a practical method to simplify construction of distributed systems, Domain-Specific Modeling raises the level of abstraction beyond programming by specifying the solution directly using visual models to express domain concepts. This paper gives a visual metamodeling language which is suitable for specific domain modeling, namely XMML. It supports development and design of Domain-Specific Modeling languages (DSMLs) and domain model. A formal definition method of domain rules based on events is proposed for domain rules modeling. The paper also gives a loose coupling, scalable implementation schema for visual design of DSMLs. Finally, gives an example used XMML for metamodeling of a distributed application.