扩展Java元模型以实现诠释的可视化建模

诠释（annotation）是JavaSE5引入的一种新的编程语言成分，目前得到广泛关注。但从可视化建模来看，已有的Java元模型和UML2元模型并不支持诠释规范，这导致诠释的语义特征在高层抽象中难以体现，也不能实现诠释的可视化、规范化建模。本文扩展已有的Java元模型，以支持诠释的可视化建模。文章提出了诠释的4个重要特征，添加了3个元类以扩展Java元模型，使其能反映诠释特征，并给出2个图符以支持诠释的可视化建模。新的Java元模型符合MOF规范，设计简单，方便实现以支持MDA及相关工具的开发。

Towards Visual Modeling of Annotation by Extending Java Metamodel

This paper proposes a new Java metamodel with annotation extended to support annotation visual modeling. Annotation is one of the new features of Java SE5. It plays significant roles on metadata and metaprogramming. But with a view to visual modeling, annotation is not supported by either existing Java metamodel or UML2 metamodel. This causes annotation semantic features can not be reflected at higher abstract level, and annotation visual modeling is impossible. This paper presents four significant features of annotation: type-based, static instance, target-associated instance and instance immutable. Three metaclasses: AnnotatableElement, Annotation and AnnotationInstance, are extended to specify the features of annotations consistently. Further, two notions are suggested for visual modeling of annotation. The new Java metamodel complies with the MOF specification. Also it is designed simple so that it's easier to realize to support MDA and related utilities development.