Re: [gmf-dev] Conversation starter...

[Henrik Rentz-Reichert <hrr@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all,

IBM's contribution really is impressive and I'm quite sure that this
(with maybe some modifications) will be the runtime framework of GMF.
That will save us a lot of work. Thanks to IBM :-)

The most challenging part of the GMF project in my opinion will be to
create a framework for the definition of the graphical editors for a
given model which is very general AND easy to use at the same time. This
definition probably will be a model describing the editors (say gcore as
opposed to ecore) plus (or including) a mapping of the editor to the
underlying domain model.
I have no idea yet how those editors could by defined. But I cannot
imagine, that the definition of a visual alphabet of allowed graph
modifications like in the Tiger project is general enough.
I would say in a first step we should define a couple of editor examples
together with some use cases to get an impression of the spectrum of
possibilities we will have to handle. Of course we will have example
editors from the UML context. But we should also have examples from
completely other domains, the more different the better.

Once we have a definition of the graphical editors it should be more or
less straight forward to create a JET based generator for the editor
plugins.

Best Regards,

Henrik


Richard Gronback wrote:
> Hello All,
> 
>  
> 
> First of all, I just want to again thank all who have presented
> potential contributions, those who will, and those who have provided
> feedback and expressed interest in GMF.
> 
>  
> 
> We have a bit of a lull before the next presentations on the 20^th and
> 27^th , so I think it is a good time to begin discussing what our
> impressions are so far regarding the starting point for GMF.
> 
>  
> 
> To start the thread, I will offer my perspective (with the understanding
> that we still have GME, Patternset, Sybase, and VE to review).
> 
>  
> 
> For the runtime framework, I think it’s pretty clear that the IBM
> contribution is desirable.  Although portions of their contribution may
> ultimately find a home in EMF and possibly GEF, it seems like a good
> choice to be the target of the generation framework portion of GMF.
> 
>  
> 
> The AGG portion of the Tiger project seems intriguing as a means to
> define operations in a visual manner, although my feeling is that it may
> suffer from scalability issues in large, complex diagram definitions. 
> However, I think we should investigate it more closely for inclusion in
> GMF, if not as part of an initial milestone.
> 
>  
> 
> The Borland prototype is progressing well and is currently being
> refactored to better align with the requirements.  Also, less attention
> is being paid to the runtime target in light of the pending IBM
> contribution.  We hope to have this contribution available for close
> review at the July kickoff meeting, if not beforehand.
> 
>  
> 
> Merlin’s mapping model approach is something we’d like to emulate/extend
> and welcome Joel’s feedback and participation in this area.
> 
>  
> 
> In the case of M1 and oAW, as neither have a basis in EMF, and with the
> expectation that it would be IBM’s runtime we would target for
> generation after refactoring, I’m not sure where that leaves us aside
> from leveraging their experience and future contributions. 
> 
>  
> 
> Please provide your comments and feedback for discussion.  We need to
> maintain an active and diverse community, particularly following this
> contribution review phase.  And as mentioned, now seems like a good time
> to discuss contributions, approaches, and architecture, as we have some
> time before the next reviews.
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks again to all.
> 
>  
> 
> Best Regards,
> 
> Rich
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> *Richard C. Gronback***
> 
> Borland Software Corporation
> 
> richard.gronback@xxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:richard.gronback@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> 
> 860 227 9215
> 
>  
> 
> 
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> _______________________________________________
> gmf-dev mailing list
> gmf-dev@xxxxxxxxxxx
> https://dev.eclipse.org/mailman/listinfo/gmf-dev

-- 
.............................

    Dr. Henrik Rentz-Reichert

    Hafnerstr. 1
    78476 Allensbach

    fon 07533 / 93 42 43
    fon 07533 / 93 42 42 (priv.)
    fax 07533 / 93 42 44

    mailto://hrr@xxxxxxxxx