Small-scale XMI programming: a revolution in UML tool use?

Introduction UML, the Unified Modeling Language, is a standard diagrammatic language for recording the design of systems, especially object-oriented software systems. One of the main benefits of a unified modeling language is that it enables competition between tool vendors and allows users a wide choice of tools. Getting the most out of a tool - which is often a significant investment - means using it as more than a fancy drawing tool. In this position paper I will argue that the combination of XML and UML - especially in the form of XMI, the OMG's standard XML Metadata Interchange format - is crucial enabling technology for getting good value out of a UML tool. Indeed, I believe that it may revolutionise the use of modelling tools in future. 2 Small-scale tool development and integration Let us compare the facilities long available to the programmer with those available to the designer until now. Coders have the culture that they are in control; their tools are there to assist. T