SIA- MDA and the Future

Object Management Group introduced the Model-Driven

Architecture(MDA) initiative as an approach to system-specification and
interoperability based on the use of formal models [MDA, MDA2,
Dsouza]. In MDA, platform-independent models(PIMs) are initially
expressed in a platform-independent modeling language, such as UML.
The platform-independent model is subsequently translated to a
Platform-specific model (PSM) by mapping the PIM to some
implementation language or platform (e.g.,Java) using formal rules.
Model Driven Architecture(MDA) is an approach to software design,
development and implementation spearheaded by the OMG. MDA
provides guidelines for structuring software specifications that are
expressed as models. MDA separates business and application logic from
underlying platform technology. Platform-independent models of an
application or integrated system’s business functionality and behavior,
built using UML and the other associated OMG modeling standards, can
be realized through the MDA on virtually any platform including Web
Services, .NET, CORBA R, J2EE, and others. These platform-independent
models document the business functionality and behavior of an
application separate from the technology-specific code that implements
it, insulating the core of the application from technology and its relentless
churn cycle while enabling interoperability both within and across
platform boundaries.
As an OMG process, the MDA represents a major evolutionary step in
the way the OMG defines interoperability standards. For a very long time,
interoperability had been based largely on CORBA standards and services.
Heterogeneous software systems inter-Operate at the level of standard
component interfaces. The MDA process, on the other hand, places
formal system models at the core of the interoperability problem.
What is most significant about this approach is the independence of the
system specification from the implementation technology or platform.
The system definition exists independently of any implementation model
and has formal mappings to many possible platform Infrastructures (e.g.,
Java, XML, SOAP).
An Overview of OMG Model Driven Architecture A vision that uses and
integrates the 4M’s – Models, Metadata, Mapping and Middleware of
software. MDA allows developers and users to productively design, build,
integrate and manage applications throughout the lifecycle irrespective
of hardware or middleware platform.
 Raising the level of abstraction so that people can express
themselves and communicate with man and machine alike more
productively
 Raising the level of reuse to a higher level of granularity so that
bigger systems can be composed from ever-larger elements .
 MDA provides well documented business domain model, System
architecture and development process, helps ensuring. Long-term
maintainability with changing staff. Well structure component
architecture supported by MDA. Ensures flexibility and
maintainability.