In October 2008 Microsoft first presented Oslo as their new modelling platform in the Professional Developer’s conference to the public. Oslo is the code-name for Microsoft’s unified modeling platform developed to empower non developers to build distributed applications. Initially, it aimed at developing a visual and repository tool for creating models and finally emerged as a programming language.
It can be considered as a
• New language that can create your own Domain-Specific Languages (DSL),
• Visual modeling tool and
• Repository for models that we build.
Microsoft promised that Oslo will be the unified basis for “future versions” of Visual Studio, Microsoft System Center, BizTalk Server and Microsoft SQL Server. “Oslo” is slated to have “visual modeling and composition tools, a foundational repository built on SQL Server 2008 for managing application metadata, and a new, declarative modeling language to enable interoperability of models between tools and domain-specific modeling notations (Microsoft subnet blog). The aim is to increase the communication between developers, modellers, business analysts and decrease the time involved in designing complex projects. It is a tool for working with data and creating data. Several articles in the e-week reveals that it breaks down the barriers to sharing models between projects and enables stakeholders involved to utilise the other resources.
After the launch of Microsoft Oslo many experts posted questions such as, ‘‘Will Microsoft’s Oslo Support UML (Unified Modeling Language) and BPMN (Business Process Modelling Notation)?’’ with answers from the concerned people,’’This tool enables users to capture domain knowledge in domain specific views and will be useful for more advanced programming, such as enabling the development of BPMN workflows and UML services.
Finally, I would like to quote the article,’ Where is Microsoft Oslo from SD Times blog, that recently, Microsoft is whittling away from the development of the designing tool- Oslo, which is quite disagreed from the developers.
More resources can be found at
•http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Application-Development/Microsoft-Defends-Oslo-Move-to-SQL-Server-203987/
•http://www.douglaspurdy.com/2009/08/17/on-oslo/
•http://www.developer.com/db/article.php/3792011/Building-Microsoft-Oslo-Models.htm
•http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1430