Using topcased to improve the EMF model edit view

EMF is an Eclipse modeling framework that is an important part of the Eclipse MDA (Model Driven architecture), its meta model ECore is the MOF's Java implementation, appropriately simplified and increased by the Java language feature for MOF Java features. EMF primarily provides the creation of meta models, generates Java code using models, and provides a basic model file editing environment. The EMF allows you to automatically generate an edited view of the model. However, the EMF's default editing view is simple, the user interface is not flexible enough to meet the requirements of large business system. Topcased is an open source modeling tool for the development process. Topcased is built on the Eclipse platform and uses EMF and GMF technologies to provide meta model definitions, graphical editing, code generation, and more. It expands the original functions of the EMF and provides an extended view of the editing of the model attributes, which is not only flexible but also more user-friendly, and provides great convenience for the development of the project. This paper is a library management system to demonstrate the use of topcased.

Brief introduction

The EMF full name Eclipse Modeling Framework., is the eclipse modeling frame. It is an important component of the Eclipse MDA (Model driven architecture), whose meta model ECore is the MOF's Java implementation, which simplifies and adds Java features to the MOF based on the Java language features. EMF primarily provides the creation of meta models, generates Java code using models, and provides a basic model file editing environment. The following figure is a model file editing environment provided by a typical EMF.

Figure 1. Model File Editing Environment

As you can see from the image above, the EMF can provide the ability to model, but the resulting editing view is simple, and the direct use sometimes does not fully meet the project requirements. Especially in the enterprise-level application project development process, attributes often need to be categorized or grouped, rather than simply listed. The model object properties are populated at different stages or at the right time. The grouping of attributes is advantageous to the division of labor between the requirement analyst, the profile designer and the coder in the development process. We know that GMF, while providing the ability to build complex modeling views, is complex and costs too much in modeling, so it requires a simple and easy technology solution that can augment the EMF's ability to edit the Model view. Topcased Open Source project is a good extension of the EMF model file editing view, enhanced the ability to edit model files.

Topcased is an Open-source project proposed by Airbus (Airbus), which provides a software kit for the aerospace industry. Topcased is built on the Eclipse3.4 RCP platform and provides the Meta model definition, graphical editing, code generation and other functions with the help of EMF and GMF technology. It expands the original functions of the EMF and provides an extended model attribute editing view, which is not only flexible, but also more user-friendly, and is very convenient for large-scale project development.