Basic Concepts
This page was created by Wikiadmin on 2026-07-29. Last edited by Wikiadmin on 2026-07-29.
You can use this page to identify the MDriven concepts you need first when you are new to modeling and building an information system.
Start with a small model
A useful way to begin is to create and save a small model. In MDriven Designer, press Play, choose XML persistence, start the system, and open the debugger. Create Person objects in the Seeker and give each a name.
Basic concepts
| Concept | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| MDriven Designer | MDriven Designer is the modeling tool you use to create and work with MDriven files. | Create and save a model. |
| Information model | An information model is one of the foundational concepts used to describe an information system. | Model the information your system needs about a person, such as a name. |
| Class | A class is a modeling concept. | Create a class for the information in your model. |
| Attribute | An attribute is a value you add to a class. | Add a string attribute to a class. |
| Relation and association | Relations and associations are foundational modeling concepts for connecting classes. | Continue with the Bootcamp section on classes and associations. |
| OCL | Object Constraint Language (OCL) is used to write expressions in MDriven. | Use OCL expressions when working with model data. |
| ViewModel | A ViewModel is a series of transformation expressions that turns part of a model into a potentially transformed view of that model. ViewModels also capture UI hints that can be used to derive a user interface declaratively. | Use a ViewModel when you need a view of model data for a user interface. |
| EAL | EAL is referenced alongside ActionLanguage in MDriven documentation. | Continue to the OCL documentation when you are ready to learn OCL and EAL. |
| MDrivenServer | MDrivenServer is used in connection with deploying applications online. | Learn the modeling basics first, then continue to deployment topics when your application is ready to be deployed. |
Choose your next step
- Start with Bootcamp Chapter 1 if you want a guided, hands-on introduction to MDriven Designer, classes, attributes, associations, and running a model.
- Read Getting Started with MDriven if you need an overview of MDriven, installation, environment setup, and key concepts.
- Read MDriven Designer Documentation if you want to continue with modeling basics, associations, constraints, state machines, and ViewModels.
- Read OCL Documentation if you want to write and understand OCL expressions.
- Use the MDriven concept index when you know the name of a concept and need to find its detailed documentation. The index groups concepts into rings.