How ontouml/ontouml-metamodel works
Purpose and scope
This is a reference-model repository, not an executable application. It defines the UML-independent OntoUML language metamodel, covering its abstract syntax (conceptual elements and relationships) and concrete syntax (their notation). The authoritative artifact is OntoUML Metamodel.vpp.
Primary entry point and runtime
Visual Paradigm is the material runtime/editor: open OntoUML Metamodel.vpp to inspect, edit, and export the metamodel. There is no source-code build, server process, or API entry point in this repository.
Authoritative metamodel artifact
OntoUML Metamodel.vpp is the central model boundary and source of truth. It contains the modeled OntoUML concepts, constraints, relationships, and diagram organization. Changes should be made through Visual Paradigm rather than by treating derived XML or diagrams as independent definitions.
Abstract syntax layer
The abstract language structure is communicated through diagrams/Abstract Syntax Summary.png and represented authoritatively in OntoUML Metamodel.vpp. This layer defines the supported OntoUML semantic constructs independently of UML profiles.
Concrete syntax layer
Notation and presentation mappings are summarized in diagrams/Concrete Syntax Summary.png, with their maintained model representation in OntoUML Metamodel.vpp. This creates the boundary between semantic language elements and how users draw them.
Project serialization and interchange
XML/project.xml and the archived XML/data.zip appear to be Visual Paradigm project serialization/export material associated with the model. They may support tooling interoperability or recovery, but the .vpp project remains the architectural editing entry point.
Ecosystem integration boundary
This repository provides the language reference consumed by OntoUML as a Service ecosystem projects. Downstream implementations serialize conforming models as JSON via OntoUML Schema, represent/query them as Turtle via OntoUML Vocabulary, and may transform JSON into graph data through JSON2Graph. Those services are external dependencies/consumers, not runtime components contained here.
Main entry points: OntoUML Metamodel.vpp OntoUML Metamodel · project.xml Project XML · data.zip Archived Project Data
Components 11
Authoritative Model
- Visual Paradigm · The editing and export runtime.
- OntoUML Metamodel · Authoritative source of truth for the language metamodel.
OntoUML Metamodel.vpp - Abstract Syntax · OntoUML concepts, constraints, and relationships independent of UML profiles.
- Concrete Syntax · Presentation and notation mappings for semantic elements.
Reference Views
- Abstract Syntax Summary
- Concrete Syntax Summary
Project Interchange
- Project XML · Associated Visual Paradigm serialization or export material.
XML/project.xml - Archived Project Data · Associated export or recovery material.
XML/data.zip
External Ecosystem
Downstream consumers; not repository runtime components.
- OntoUML Schema · Serializes conforming models as JSON.
- OntoUML Vocabulary · Represents and queries conforming models as Turtle.
- JSON2Graph · May transform OntoUML JSON into graph data.
Connections 10
- Visual Paradigm → OntoUML Metamodel: opens, edits, exports
- OntoUML Metamodel → Abstract Syntax: defines
- OntoUML Metamodel → Concrete Syntax: maintains
- Abstract Syntax → Abstract Syntax Summary: summarized by
- Concrete Syntax → Concrete Syntax Summary: summarized by
- OntoUML Metamodel → Project XML: serialized/exported as
- OntoUML Metamodel → Archived Project Data: archived with
- OntoUML Metamodel → OntoUML Schema: reference consumed by
- OntoUML Metamodel → OntoUML Vocabulary: reference consumed by
- OntoUML Schema → JSON2Graph: JSON input