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MDA Problems: Java Code Generation versus MDA

FireStorm/DAO is better for Java developers than MDA modeling tools

FireStorm/DAO makes Java software developers more productive by automatically generating Java source code for accessing relational databases. The benefits provided by CodeFutures' code generation approach are higher developer productivity, better software quality, and lower maintenance costs.

• FireStorm/DAO accelerates existing development practices and can be used immediately within a project. MDA requires new development routines and practices.

• FireStorm/DAO requires almost no training. MDA has a much steeper learning curve and requires new modeling skills. UML/MDA complexity is the result of evolving from a UML analysis model to a detailed MDA design model. The result is that the MDA approach assumes complete fluency with the UML, MOF, OCL, and other TLAs. MDA requires a large amount of write-off in current training investment as programmers become application modelers.

• MDA modelling tools are often closed and have proprietary elements – and often perceived as “black boxes”. For example, the way to describe transformations is always proprietary. FireStorm/DAO provides considerably more flexibility – design templates are based on common design patterns that can be customized because the source code is available. MDA tools vendors tend not to provide the source code and often demand expensive professional services fees to modify or customize the tools.

• FireStorm/DAO is usually introduced into organizations by Java developers. MDA is often sold to management and imposed on Java developers, which is one of the reasons why MDA has met with strong resistance from Java developers.

• Java code generation based on common design patterns such as Data Access Objects (DAO) is a simple solution to a common problem. MDA tools try to do too much, which means that they either do not do it well, or are too complex, or are not flexible (often referred to as “my way or no way”)

• Code generated by FireStorm/DAO can be retrofitted into existing applications, reducing the ongoing maintenance costs over the application lifecycle.

• UML/MDA model evolution maintenance requires tedious, repetitive, manual intervention. The modeler must ensure that the UML model reflects changes for every major and minor change. FireStorm/DAO approach is radically different and actually facilitates evolving requirements, rapid prototyping, and proof of concepts.

• UML/MDA model implementation involves the time-consuming and error-prone tasks of manually mapping a UML model to platform-specific code. Developers may still spend considerable time during the coding phase performing numerous nearly repetitive manual operations. CodeFutures approach eliminates repetitive manual coding tasks.

• FireStorm/DAO provides an immediate return-on-investment. The product download, installation, and time to generate the first results can be a little as one hour.

• Java developers resist the introduction of MDA products because they are often introduced and used by business analysts, thereby putting the position of Java developers within an organization under threat. CodeFutures’ products present developers, and development managers, with an opportunity to present a viable alternative that offers immediate productivity gains.

FireStorm/DAO can import database schema definitions from SQL scripts or from live databases via JDBC and can then generate a complete persistence tier based on the Data Access Object (DAO) design pattern. The generated source code is well-written, consistent and contains documentation. FireStorm/DAO can generate source code based on the Java Database Connectivity (JDBC), Java Data Object (JDO), and Enterprise JavaBean (EJB) standards. FireStorm/DAO can generate code for standalone Java as well as for leading J2EE application servers, such as JBoss, BEA WebLogic, IBM WebSphere.

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Product Information

FireStorm/DAO Overview (PDF)

Provides brief (2 pages) introduction to FireStorm/DAO, the product benefits, and the product editions.

FireStorm/DAO Architect Edition Overview (PDF)

Provides brief (2 pages) introduction to Architect Edtion, the product benefits, and using the Architect Edition with development teams.

FireStorm/DAO Technical Overview (PDF)

Provides detailed technical overview of FireStorm/DAO.

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Andy Grove, CTO

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Customer Testimonial

"Before we discovered FireStorm/DAO, we were reluctant to write DAO code ourselves as it required a lot of time and effort. Now we can concentrate on the real business logic and application requirements."
Kobus Steenekamp, Senior Java Developer, Discovery Health

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