UML model interchange in heterogeneous tool environments: An analysis of adoptions of XMI 2

Abstract

Heterogeneous tool environments are often a reality and it is there-fore increasingly important to be able to interchange model information between tools. This is not only true concerning the natural heterogeneity resulting from distributed development contexts; the need may also arise in a tool chain and for legacy reasons. Without this possibility, there is significantly reduced flexibility, and a danger of tool lock-in. In this study we explore the use of the standardised interchange format XMI for supporting interchange of model information between heterogeneous tools. We report on the current state regarding XMI version 2.0 and greater. We find that there seems to be better support for model interchange using XMI 2.0 than for earlier versions of XMI, and speculate that one contributing factor may be the recent integrations of the Eclipse platform in UML modelling tools. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2006.