7. Glossary
- Angular library
A library developed by MetaFactory containing Code Instructions and snippets for generation of front-ends written in Angular.
- Attribute
The definition of the property of an object, stating its name and datatype. Attributes of objects are defined in model.xml.
- AutoHook mode
The AutoHook mode of the CodeComposer IntelliJ plugin determines how the CodeComposer will preserve manually adapted code in generated files. There are 3 modes: Enabled, Disabled, Existing Only. By default the AutoHook mode is set to Enabled. The other modes should only be used by experienced MetaFactory developers.
- Buildset
The definition of a collection of files that will be generated by CodeComposer when the buildset is run. Buildsets help the developer in generating only the files defined in the buildset, speeding up the development process. Buildsets can be defined in metafactory.xml.
- Code Instruction
An instruction for the CodeComposer to automate the software development process.
A Code Instruction is an blueprint of your desired application code, using an XML element structure to define for instance Java classes, methods, fields and so on. The blueprint is converted to real source code during the generation process.
Formerly known as ‘Pattern’.
- CodeComposer
A meta-programming tool developed by MetaFactory to automate the software development process.
- CodeComposer IntelliJ plugin
A plugin for IntelliJ to easily invoke the CodeComposer from the IntelliJ IDE.
- codecomposer.xml
Project configuration file that is the input for the CodeComposer.
- Context Object
During generation the CodeComposer reads the model and places model elements in the generator’s context, so Code Instructions can refer and use them.
- Feature (MetaFactory)
A Feature (MetaFactory) is a combination of several Code Instructions that together realize an application feature.
- Hook
A hook is a project-specific Code Instruction that overrules or extends a Code Instruction in a generic library.
- Library
An library is a means by which Code instructions and snippets may be shared between different MetaFactory projects. It can be used, for example, to make a library with Code instructions and snippets for web applications.
- Meta-programming
Meta-programming is a programming technique in which computer programs are programmed using programs that use metadata.
- Metadata
Metadata is data about data. Metadata is added to elements of the model to control the generation proces of Code Instructions. Metadata are properties (key-value combinations) where the developer is free to choose any key-value combination that might be needed.
- metafactory.xml
Obsolete: replaced by codecomposer.xml
- Model
A description of an application in terms of objects, their attributes and references to other objects, together with metadata to be used in Code Instructions.
- model.xml
Input file for the CodeComposer that contains the model of an application.
- Object
Analogous to an entity in a data model. Objects are defined in model.xml.
- Pattern
Obsolete: replaced by Code Instruction.
- Reference
A reference defines a relation between two Objects. A reference has a name, a type and a multiplicity.
- Snippet
A snippet is a script that produces a fragment of source code. Besides variables, conditions, loops, etcetera, there is an huge library of functions available for snippets.
CodeComposer supports the template engines Freemarker (recommended) and Velocity in snippets.