The document describes the Adaptive Object-Model architecture style. It allows non-technical domain experts to change an application's object model by modifying metadata that describes the domain model, rather than requiring code changes. This separates what changes (business rules and domain knowledge) from what doesn't (core application logic). The adaptive object model stores the domain model configuration as metadata that can be changed at runtime to quickly adapt the application to new business requirements without code changes or redeployments.

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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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Short Instructor Bio
ACM 09/10.
OOPSLA'09, October 25–29, 2009, Orlando, FL, USA.
Copyright is held by the author/owner(s).
http://www.adaptiveobjectmodel.com
http://www.refactory.com
joe@refactory.com
The Refactory, Inc.
Joseph W. Yoder
their Business Models”
“Giving Users Control over
Architecture Style
Adaptive Object-Model
Object-

2. Table of Contents
Overview
Adaptive Object-Model Description
Core Architectural Elements of AOM
Some Examples of AOMs in Practice
Other Issues and Related Architectures
Advantages/Disadvantages
When to do and When not to do it
Summary
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
What are we doing?
Describing a “dynamic” architecture.
Not really “well-known”, known by a
few people. Has not been well
described. Becoming more popular.
Going to describe them with patterns.
Many Patterns work together to solve
the problem.
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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3. Context of the Style
Requirements change within
application’s domain.
Domain Experts know their domain best.
Business Rules are changing rapidly.
Applications have to quickly adapt to
new business requirements.
Changing the application is costly, it
generally includes code and data-storage.
There are cycles of: build-compile-release.
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Forces – Shearing Layers
Who (Business Person, Analyst, Developer)
What (Business Rule, Persistence Layer,…)
When (How often, How fast)
There is a different rate of change
on the system.
Foote & Yoder - Ball of Mud PLoPD4
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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4. General Idea
Create an object design (meta-model) that
describes the domain objects which includes
attributes, relationships, and business rules as
instances rather than classes.
The domain objects are instantiated through a
description given by the user or domain expert.
Each new requirement is satisfied by creating a
new description and a new instantiation.
Separate what changes from what doesn’t.
Define Changes without Hand-Coding.
Focus on “What” Not “How”.
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Adaptive Object-Model
(Active|Dynamic Object-Model)
An ADAPTIVE OBJECT-MODEL is an object model
that provides “meta” information about the domain
so that it can be changed at runtime
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ADAPTIVE OBJECT-MODELS usually arise from
domain-specific frameworks
Business rules are stored as descriptive (meta)
information in ADAPTIVE OBJECT-MODELS
Sometimes called a "reflective architecture“
or a "meta-architecture ".
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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5. Adaptive Object-Models
Represents classes, attributes, relationships,
and behavior as metadata.
Business knowledge is based on instances
rather than classes.
Users change the metadata (object model)
to reflect changes in the domain.
Stores its Object-Model in a database or in
files and interprets it (can be XML/XMI).
Consequently, the object model is adaptable, when you
change it, the system changes immediately.
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Introduction of Metadata and
Adaptive (Active|Dynamic)
Object-Models
"Anything you can do, I can do Meta"
Metadata: If something is going to vary in
a predictable way, store the description
of the variation in a database so that it
is easy to change….Ralph Johnson
”Meta is Beta"
Code is Data, Data is Code – Everything is Data
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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6. Architectural Elements of
Adaptive Object Models
• Metadata • Entity-Relationship
• TypeObject • Strategy/RuleObjects
• Properties • Interpreters/Builders
• Type Square • Editors/GUIs
If you want something to change quickly,
you must push it into the data.
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Type-Object
PLoPD3 - Johnson and Woolf
Before After
AirplaneM odel
-sharedAttributes
Airplane +typeOperations() : <unspecified>
1 -type
*
Boeing727 Boeing747 Boe ing757 Boeing767
... Airplane
-specificAttributes
+someOperations() : <unspecified>
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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7. Properties
Before After
Property
Car
Car 0..n
-name : String = color
- color : String = Any
attributes -type : String = String
- modelNumber : String = Any
- …. -value : String = Any
Example: A Store with Catalogue Entries
Sweaters (size, color, material)
Canoes (length, material)
Video Tapes (name, rating, category)
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
TypeSquare
Entity 0..n type EntityType
0..n properties
properties 0..n
PropertyType
Property
0..n type -name : String
-type : Type
Example: A Store with Catalogue Entries
)…,wolley,eulb,neerg,der(=roloc ,)LX,L,M,S(=ezis( sretaewS
)taolf=htdiw ,taolf=htgnel( seonaC
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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8. Entity-Relationship
supertype legal commissioner 1..n supertype
Accountability Type 0..n Party Type
legal responsible 1..n
0..n
1..n type type 1..n
0..n 0..n
commissioner 1..n
Accountability 0..n Party
responsible 1..n
0..n
Analysis Patterns - Fowler
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
An AOM Example
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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9. Newborn Screening
Doctor, HealthProf.
Hospital, Lab
Blood Specimen
Mother, Infant
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Newborn Screening
Infants, Mothers and Doctors...
Person
+name : String
-address : String
-phone : String
Infant Mother Doctor LabTechnician
+gestetionalAge : Number
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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10. Newborn Screening
Hospital and Lab
Organization
+name : String
-address : String
-phone : String
Hospital Lab
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Newborn Screening
Putting it all together
Organization
Person
+name : String
+name : String -address : String
-address : String -phone : String
-phone : String
Infant Mother LabTechnician Doctor Hospital Lab
+gestetionalAge : Number n
n
n 1..1 n n n 1..1
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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11. Refugee
VOLAG
Sponsor
Lab Tests
Medical Evaluations
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Refugee
Person Organization
-name: String -name: String
-address: String -address: String
-phone: String -phone: String
Screening *
Results Refugee * Sponsor Volag
-testDate: aDate -originatingCountry
+refugees() +refugees()
+results() +familyMembers()
*
*
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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12. Entity-Relationship: Solution
supertype legal commissioner 1..n supertype
Accountability Type 0..n Party Type
legal responsible 1..n
0..n
1..n type type 1..n
0..n 0..n
commissioner 1..n
Accountability 0..n Party
responsible 1..n
0..n
Analysis Patterns - Fowler
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Party and Accountability
Example
John Smith
Sue Smith
Sue is the mother of John
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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13. Party and Accountability
(instance diagram)
anAccountabilityType anAccountability
anAccountabilityType aParty aPartyType
<PARENT> <PARENT> name <Sue> <MOTHER>
aPartyType aParty anAccountability anAccountabilityType
<INFANT> name <John> <CHILD>
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Dealing with Dynamic Behavior
Making methods that implement the different
algorithm for each Type or Property could
require a large case-statement and could be
impractical to maintain.
Instances for the similar types can have
different algorithm depending upon context.
• The model has to implements a defined set of
interchangeable algorithms that customize the
behavior of the system.
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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14. Strategies/Interpreters/RuleObjects
(Behavior/Methods)
SomeStrategy Entity
* 1
-sharedAttributes : someType -specificAttribues : type
+sharedInterface() * +someOperations()
...
Strategy1 Strategy2 StragegyN
t c ej b O e l u R
*
1
1
Strategy2.1 Strategy2.2 e l u R e vit i m i r P e l u R et i s o p m o C
n o iti d n o C D N A n oit i d n o C R O n o i ti d n o C T O N
Design Patterns - GOF95
Composite Strategies Interpreter
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Composite Strategies
Problem: Strategy leads to a big
class hierarchy, one class for
each kind of policy.
Solution: Make Composite
Strategies using Primitive
Operations.
=> Interpreter pattern
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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15. Adaptive Object Model
“Common Architecture”
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Other Patterns
Composite – GOF
Interpreter – GOF
Builder – GOF
Mediator/Adaptor – GOF
Dynamic Hooks
History – Francis Anderson PLoPD4
Roles – Baumer, Riehle, Siberski, & Wulf
Fowler PLoP ‘97
RuleObject – Arsanjani PLoP2000
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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16. Interpreters / Builders
Application
Persistence
Mechanism
Database
Metadata Domain
Repository/Namespace Objects
XML Parser Interpreter/Builder
XML
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Extending our Example
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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17. Medical Observation - First Model
Person * Observation
Measurement Trait
Quantity
traitValue
unit convertTo:
amount
expressOnUnit:
expressOnUnits:
PhysicalMeasure Blood
EyeColor HairColor Gender …
Height Weight FeedingType Hearing Vision
…
What happens when a new observation is required?
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Observation Design
Person Observation
ObservationType
-recordedDate : Date
+address() -observedDate : Date -phenomenon : Symbol
+phone() -duration : TimePeriod
+name() +phenomenon()
Quantity
Measurement Trait
-unit : Unit
-amount : Number
+expressOnUnit(aUnit : Unit) +observationValue() +observationValue()
+expressOnUnits(unitCollection : Collection)
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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18. Observation Design
Example
Height: 3 feet
Eyes Color: Blue
Name: John Smith
Mother: Sue Smith
Father:
Address:
Phone:
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Observation Design
(instance diagram)
aPerson
name <John Smith>
obsCollection
anObservationType
aMeasurement
#height
type
value
aQuantity
value <3>
unit <ft>
aTrait
type anObservationType
value <blue> #eyeColor
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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19. Composing Observations
Observations can be more complex
Cholesterol
Components: HDL, LDL
Blood Pressure
Components: Systolic, Diastolic
Vision
Components: Left Eye, Right Eye
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Composite Observation Design
Person
+address()
+phone()
+name()
Observation
ObservationType
-recordedDate : Date
-phenomenon : Symbol -observedDate : Date 1..n
-duration : TimePeriod
+phenomenon()
Quantity
Measurement Trait CompositeObservation
-unit : Unit
-amount : Number -observations : Collection
+expressOnUnit(aUnit : Unit) +observationValue() +observationValue()
+expressOnUnits(unitCollection : Collection)
Composite Pattern (GOF)
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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20. Observation Design
Example
Height: 3 feet
Eyes Color: Blue
Name: John Smith
Mother: Sue Smith Blood Pressure:
Father: Systolic: 120 mmHg
Address: Diastolic: 80 mmHg
Phone:
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Composite Observation Design
(instance diagram)
anObservType
<#BloodPressure>
aCompObs
aMeasurement anObserType
<120 mmHg> <#SYSTOLIC>
anotherMeasurement anObser-Type
<80 mmHg> <#DIASTOLIC>
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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21. Composite and Primitive
Observation Design
What we know about John?
aPerson
name <John Smith>
obsCollection
EyesColor: Blue Height: 3 feet BloodPressure: 120/80
Systolic: 120 mmHg
Diastolic: 80 mmHg
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Validating Observations
Each Observation has its own set
of legal values.
Baby’s Weight: [0 30] pounds
HepatitisB: {positive, negative}
Left/Right Vision: {normal, abnormal}
GUI can enforce legal values
but we want business rules in domain
objects
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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22. Validating Observations Design
ObservationType
Validator
-phenomenon : Symbol
-validator : Validator
DiscreteValidator NullValidator RangedValidator
-descriptorSet : Collection -intervalSet : Collection
-validUnit : Unit
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Overall Observation Design
Validator
DiscreteValidator RangedValidator NullValidator
Party descriptorSet intervalSet
validUnit
Observation
ObservationType recordedDate
type comments
Measurement Trait CompositeObservation
value value values
value value
value: value:
convertTo:
Quantity
Is everything an Observation?
How does the model specify the structure of the Composite?
What is the relationship between Trait and DiscreteValidator?
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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23. Observation Design
Validator
validatorName
ObservationType isValid: obsValue
phenomenonType
isValid: obsValue
DiscreteValidator RangedValidator NullValidator
descriptorSet intervalSet
validUnit
PrimitiveObservation CompositeObservation
Type Type Party
Observation
recordedDate
comments
isValid
Quantity
unit
CompositeObservation Primitive Observation quantity
observationValue convertTo:
DiscreteValues
Current Design
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Observation Design
Validator
validatorName
ObservationType isValid: obsValue
phenomenonType
isValid: obsValue
DiscreteValidator RangedValidator NullValidator
descriptorSet intervalSet
validUnit
PrimitiveObservation CompositeObservation
Type Type Party
Observation
recordedDate
comments
isValid
Quantity
unit
CompositeObservation Primitive Observation quantity
observationValue convertTo:
Operational level DiscreteValues
Current Design
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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24. Observation Design
Validator
validatorName
ObservationType Knowledge level isValid: obsValue
phenomenonType
isValid: obsValue
DiscreteValidator RangedValidator NullValidator
descriptorSet intervalSet
validUnit
PrimitiveObservation CompositeObservation
Type Type Party
Observation
recordedDate
comments
isValid
Quantity
unit
CompositeObservation Primitive Observation quantity
observationValue convertTo:
DiscreteValues
Current Design
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Observation Design
(instance diagram)
anObserv-Type
<#COMP-GAL>
aCompObs
aMeasurement anObser-Type aRangedValidator
<aQuantity> <#GAL>
anotherMeasurement anObser-Type anotherRangedValidator
<anotherQuantity> <#UDT>
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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25. Observation Design
(instance diagram)
anInfant
name aDiscreteValidator
anObservationType aRangedValidator
obsCollection
#GestationalAge
aMeasurement
type
value
aQuantity
value <36>
unit <weeks>
anObserv-Type
<#COMP-GAL>
aCompObs
aRangedValidator
aMeasurement anObser-Type
<aQuantity> <#GAL>
anotherRangedValidator
anotherMeasurement anObser-Type
<anotherQuantity> <#UDT>
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Observations: TypeObject
ObservationType TypeObject
phenomenonType 1 descriptor 1..* Observation
isValid: obsValue instance recordedDate
1..* elements comments
elements 1..* isValid
Quantity
PrimitiveObservation CompositeObservation unit
Type Type value 1..* quantity
CompositeObservation Primitive Observation
observationValue convertTo:
Knowledge level DiscreteValues
dvalue 1..*
Operational level
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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26. Observations: Properties
Party
properties
1..*
1..* Observation
instance recordedDate
comments
elements 1..* isValid
Quantity
unit
value 1..* quantity
CompositeObservation Primitive Observation
observationValue convertTo:
Knowledge level
dvalue 1..* DiscreteValues
Operational level
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Observations: TypeSquare
contDescr 1
ObservationType 1..* varType PartyType
phenomenonType 1 descriptor
isValid: obsValue 1 descriptor 1..*
1..* elements
Party
PrimitiveObservation CompositeObservation
Type Type properties
1..*
1..* Observation
instance recordedDate
comments
elements 1..* isValid
Quantity
unit
value 1..*
CompositeObservation Primitive Observation quantity
observationValue convertTo:
Knowledge level
Operational level dvalue 1..* DiscreteValues
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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27. Observations: Strategy
1..* type
ObservationType Validator
phenomenonType guard 1
validatorName
isValid: obsValue isValid: obsValue
1..* elements
PrimitiveObservation CompositeObservation DiscreteValidator RangedValidator NullValidator
Type Type descriptorSet intervalSet
validUnit
Knowledge level
Operational level
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Medical Observations Design
1..* type contDescr 1
Entities guard 1
Validator
validatorName
ObservationType 1..* varType PartyType isValid: obsValue
phenomenonType 1 descriptor
isValid: obsValue 1 descriptor 1..*
1..* elements
Party DiscreteValidator RangedValidator NullValidator
descriptorSet intervalSet
PrimitiveObservation CompositeObservation validUnit
Type Type properties
1..*
1..* Observation
Behavior
instance recordedDate
comments
elements 1..* isValid
Quantity
unit
value 1..*
CompositeObservation Primitive Observation quantity
observationValue convertTo:
Knowledge level
Operational level dvalue 1..* DiscreteValues
Attributes
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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28. What About Roles?
Problem: How do you deal with dynamic
behavior for an object? For example, a
person can be either a mother, child, or
doctor in our system.
Solution: Create a Role Object that
strategizes the behavior. A “role” is like
a pluggable strategy.
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
Roles
(an example)
Person 0..n PersonRole
+baseBehavior()
ChildRole DoctorRole MotherRole
+childBehavior() +doctorBehavior() +motherBehavior()
PLoP 97 - Fowler
PLoPD4 - Baumer, Riehle, Siberski, Wulf
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The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
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29. Roles
(Parties, Accountabilities and Properties
is the Beginning of Roles)
In our system, there are different types
of parties, relationships between them,
properties on the parties which include
different observations about the parties.
The pluggable behavior (or different
roles) is defined for a given party by the
legal relationships it can have and the
set of properties they are allowed.
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Roles
(Parties, Accountabilities and Properties
is the Beginning of Roles)
Babies
Have Mothers and Doctors
Gestational Age,
Hearing and Vision,
Weight, Race, Ethnicity, DOB, ...
Mothers
Have Babies and Doctors
Hepatitus present at Birth (y/n),
Languages, Race, Ethnicity, ...
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30. Roles
(Parties, Accountabilities and Properties
is the Beginning of Roles)
aParty aPartyType
name <Sue> <MOTHER>
anAccountabilityType anAccountabilityType
<CHILD> <DOCTOR>
aParty aPartyType
name <John> <INFANT>
anAccountabilityType anAccountabilityType
<PARENT> <DOCTOR>
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Other Issues
Persistence
Consistency (versions)
Dynamic GUIs
Managing Releases
Editors (Types and Rules)
Optimizers
…
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31. Persisting AOM
The metadata is expressed with objects,
those objects can be mapped to relational
databases as well as object-oriented
databases
There is an increasing interest on persisting
metadata as XML/XMI files
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Keeping consistency (versions)
It is important keeping consistency within the
metamodel while changing instances of
TypeObject or other object associated with
them.
Example: changing the legal range of a
Validator can make existing observations
invalid.
May have to keep version of the metadata
available and apply the rules based upon the
timeframe the rule applies.
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32. Metamodel and GUI
The metadata can simplify building user
interfaces. Special GUI components can be
developed for using the metadata.
Example: The Observation model includes
widgets that display list of values from the
DiscreteValidators and also EntryBoxes that
use RangeValidator.
A Mediator and Adaptor layer was developed
for managing the interactions between the
domain objects and the GUIs.
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Metamodel and GUI
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33. PartyType: Metadata-Editors
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Accountability: Metadata-Editors
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33

34. Observation: Metadata-Editors
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Observation: Metadata-Editors
Primitive Observation
Type Editor
Composite Observation
Type Editor
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35. Observation: Metadata-Editors
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Managing releases
The system has releases because of changes
in the metadata not only the code.
Changes in the metadata should be checked
by running test cases. Use of testing tools is
recommended.
Versions of the metadata has to be kept.
May have effective dates for the rules which
are represented by the metadata
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36. 36
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72
Dynamic Views
kcorB-sfriW .R …can use …can use
, edoY.J
r
,ikcileW .L Renderer
…
several
Entity View coordinates Property
PLoP 2007 –
AOM Rendering Patterns
The Adaptive Object-Model Architecture Style – OOPSLA 2009 – October 2009, Orlando FL Copyright 2009, Joseph W. Yoder & The Refactory, Inc.
71
. ytilibatidua
dna ecnamrofrep sa hcus stnemeriuqer lanoitcnuf-non rof senilediug
edivorp ot pleh osla yehT .sMOA fo noitatnemurtsni dna ,lortnoc
,egasu eht tnemurtsni ot pleh taht snrettap sedulcni :suoenallecsiM
sMOA eht ot roivaheb gniyfidom
ro gnivomer ,gnidda yllacimanyd rof snrettap eht sedulcni :laroivaheB
sMOA fo secnatsni etaerc ot pleh taht snrettap eht sedulcni :lanoitaerC
.snoitacilppa ni sresu-
dne ot sMOA
tneserp ot woh htiw laed taht snrettap eht sedulcni : noitatneserP
.yrassecen naht dnoyeb raf slevel-atem eht ot pu gniog diova ot
seiradnuob dna skrowemarf gnivlove rof senilediug hsilbatse yehT .sMOA
gnitaerc fo ssecorp eht htiw laed taht snrettap eht sedulcni : ssecorP
.elyts larutcetihcra siht nrevog taht seno
eht era yeht dna snrettap cisab eht era esehT .sMOA fo noitatnemelpmi
cisab eht ni tneserp era taht snrettap eroc eht sedulcni :eroC
Part of a Larger Language

37. Other Production Examples:
Insurance
School Workflow
Many Many More …
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User Defined Product
(insurance example)
-children * * -children
1 -rules *
Component -type ComponentType Rule
1 1
1 1 +valueUsing:()
1 1 -attributes
-attributes * *
* 1
*
Attribute AttributeType Constant CompositeRule
+name +value
-type +type 1 * 1
+valueUsing:()
*
TableLookup BinaryOperation
*
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38. Argos Meta-Architecture
(document workflow example)
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Argos Business Rule
(document workflow example)
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39. Successfully Used For:
(some can be found in papers)
www.adaptiveobjectmodel.com
Representing Insurance Policies
Telephone Billing Systems
Workflow Systems
Medical Observations
Banking and Trading
Validate Equipment Configuration
Documents Management System
Gauge Calibration Systems
Simulation Software
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Advantages of
Adaptive Object-Models
Can more easily adapt to new
business requirements.
Smaller in terms of classes so
possibly easier to maintain by
experts.
Changes do not require recompiling
the system.
Business People can make changes.
Time to market can be reduced.
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40. Disadvantages of
Adaptive Object-Models
It demands having infrastructure for
storing, building, interpreting metadata.
Developing AOM can be expensive.
Can be hard to understand and
maintain.
It requires skilled human resources.
Can have poor performance.
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Related Approaches
and Technologies
Generative Techniques
Black-box Frameworks
Metamodeling Techniques
Reflection Techniques
Domain Specific Languages
Table-driven Systems
UML Virtual Machine
Intentional Programming
Model Driven Architecture (OMG)
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41. Black-box frameworks
These frameworks are instantiated by means
of parameterization and object creation.
They don’t need to have a meta-level.
They don’t need to have interpreters and
builders.
They both use very similar patterns (type-
objects, properties, strategies, …)
AOMs can be Black-box frameworks
but don’t have to be--and vice-versa
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Code Generators
It provides infrastructure for transforming
descriptions of a system into code.
Descriptions are based on provided primitive
structures or elements.
Code generators produce either executable-
code or source-code.
Can use metadata and editors for describing
code to generate.
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42. Metamodeling techniques
It focus on manipulating the model and meta-
model behind a system as well as supporting
valid transformations between different
model representations.
The attention is on the meta-model, or a
model or generating a model, rather than the
final application that will reflect the business
requirements.
This technique is used for describing the
domain-specific language.
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Domain Specific Languages
DSLs can be a scripting language and work
by means of parameterization.
They don’t need to have a meta-level but
they often do.
They don’t need to have interpreters and
builders.
They both use solving similar patterns, they
just might do it in different ways.
AOMs can be a Domain Specific Language
but don’t have to be--and vice-versa
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43. Table-driven Systems
Business rules can be parameterized and
stored in a database.
The running system can either interpret these
rules from a database table or the
appropriate function can be called with the
differing values from the database.
Sometimes these are implemented with
triggers and stored procedures.
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Model Driven Architecture
MDA is highly related to AOMs
UML Virtual Machine is an AOM
UML Virtual Machine is an MDA approach
Focuses more on the modeling perspective
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44. Adaptive Object-Model
Object-
(Business Case)
Higher overall ROI
Higher flexibility to change
Cheaper to build applications
Foster business innovation
Incremental development and
prototyping
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When AOM is the best solution?
Need for flexibility
High pace of business change
Need for experimentation
Need to empower user
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45. Reasons for Failure of AOMs
Inadequate bridge between business and
technology level
Communication: different universe of
discourse
Unclear operations and deployment
structure
Takes too long to develop
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Process for Developing AOMs
Developed Iteratively and Incrementally.
Be Agile, Scrum, XP, Retrospective
Get Customer Feedback early and often.
Add flexibility only when and where needed.
Provide Test Cases and Suites for both the
Object-Model and the Meta-Model.
Develop Support Tools and Editors for
manipulating the metadata.
Very similar to Evolving Frameworks
by Roberts and Johnson PLoPD3
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46. Adaptive Object Model
“Common Architecture”
htiw sessalC
dna setubirttA
spihsnoitaleR
roivaheB
lanoitarepO )atem( egdelwonK
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Dimensions of Abstraction
L3
language for
defining languages
L2 A language for defining domain specific software
L1 A specific software
L0 An execution of that software
Dimensions of abstraction in Adaptive Object-Models,
Reflection and OMG ’s metamodeling Architecture
Copyright by ECOOP’ 2000 workshop on Adaptive Object-Model. --- http://www.adaptiveobjectmodel.com/ECOOP2000/description.html
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47. OOPSLA Poster Session
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Summary
Adaptive Object-Models can take time to
develop -- but the payoff can be enormous!
Adaptive Object-Models work based upon
domain expert knowledge.
Adaptive Object-Model architectural style
exposes the elements of the domain and
business rules.
Applying well-known design principles (e.g.
TypeObject, Properties, Entity Relationship,
and Strategies/RuleObjects) works well for
developing systems that dynamically adapt
to a changing (business) environment.
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48. Summary
AOMs Separates what changes quickly
from what changes slowly (hot-spots).
Takes into account who changes what,
when, and where.
AOM Objects constitute a domain
specific language.
Building languages out of objects can
be good…reflection guys say this!
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Meta Collaborators
Ali Arsanjani Jeff Oaks
Paulo Borba Nicolas Revault
Krzysztof Czarnecki Jean Bezivin
Ayla Dantas Dirk Riehle
Martine Devos Reza Razavi
Brian Foote Michel Tilman
Martin Fowler Dave Thomas
Ralph Johnson Leon Welicki
Rebecca Wirfs-Brock Others…
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49. Where to Find More
Information
http://www.adaptiveobjectmodel.com
http://st-www.cs.uiuc.edu/users/droberts/evolve.html
http://www.joeyoder.com/papers/patterns
http://hillside.net
http://st-www.cs.uiuc.edu/
http://www.refactory.com
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That’s All
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