From the only object model , D•OM generates automatically and entirety a functional prototype allowing to create and to manipulate the object instances and their associations. The dynamic behavior corresponds to the model specifications

Validation of the model

The user has all the functions allowing him to make the intances of his model classes live. The goal of the prototype is to validate the model, throughout its conception, by experimentation. This way, the designer can realize the consequences of the modelling choices.

The prototype is also an excellent means to make sure as soon as possible that the designer and the user understood well each other. It allows to verify that the application in the course of development corresponds well to the needs.

User interface

The graphic user interface is completely deducted from the model characteristics through a knowledge base. The generated interface is highly ergonomic, complete and perfectly homogeneous. It implements all the features described in the object model.

Naturally, the prototype do not prefigure the definitive user interface of the application. However if the default ergonomics does not suit, it is possible to enrich the model with GUI annotations. These annotations are memorised and used to rebuild automatically the interface, after each model evolution. So we obtain a prototype very simple to use and always coherent with the model. By experimenting with the generated prototypes, the validity of the conceptual model can be tested. Any error or deficiency will be reflected by abnormal prototype behavior or by functional failures.

Example of model

Generated interface from the model above

The clients and articles management is made in the main window :

The Order  window is available from the main window and allows to manage a command and also the order items :

Test sets

The generated prototype allows to save and load object instances into files in order to create test sets reusable by next prototype versions. This automatic data management allows to free itself from the use of a DBMS during the prototype phase.

Also a powerfull specific component : Storage, allows to describe the object model entities which should be saved. It allows to reload old files, saved by previous prototype versions while important modifications were done at the object model level, (change of an attribute type, deletion or addition of attributes...).

Distribution of the prototypes

The prototypes can be freely delivered to the various experimenters. D•OM offers a feature to deliver under a compact shape files necessary for the execution of the prototype. So there is no need to install D•OM to run the prototype for experimentation.

(c) Atos 2000, last page modification: january, 4th 2001