Code once, run everywhere
The EU-funded AUTOMOBILE (Automatic code generation from models for mobile applications) project used models to represent applications in a platform-independent manner. Model-driven engineering (MDE) promises to increase automation in software development for mobile devices, desktop computers and the Web. To achieve its aims, AUTOMOBILE relied on modelling languages such as Interaction Flow Modelling Language (IFML) and tools like WebRatio. Work began by analysing the state of the art and defining the requirements for cross-platform, multi-device mobile applications. Project partners designed a modelling language for designing mobile applications as an extension of the IFML standard, developed an IFML graphical editor and a code generator that automatically produces mobile applications out of the designed models. They devised a methodology guideline on successfully producing, designing, implementing and deploying mobile multi-channel and multi-device context-based solutions in various settings. The AUTOMOBILE team introduced a set of software components and an architectural framework that targets cross-platform application development for iOS and Android operating systems. It also designed and implemented a model-to-code generator that was integrated into the existing WebRatio platform. Lastly, project members delivered a portfolio of solutions in the area of mobile multi-device and multi-channel business-to-business and business-to-consumer applications. It demonstrates the effectiveness of the AUTOMOBILE approach in selected industries and application domains. AUTOMOBILE’s new approach simplifies the development of multi-device applications in order to address the fragmentation of mobile platforms and programming languages. The MDE approach is expected to find applications in different industries, reducing substantially programming efforts and cost.
Keywords
Mobile applications, mobile platforms, code, AUTOMOBILE, modelling languages, IFML
