SimpleObject

SimpleObject is an abstract object defined in the SimpleModeling Reference Profile that specifies common attributes for domain objects. SimpleEntity provides a comprehensive set of attributes commonly needed by entity objects, allowing designers to define entity objects by simply adding domain-specific attributes.

This is the reference profile of SimpleModeling. To concretely illustrate Literate Model-Driven Development with SimpleModeling, a reference profile is defined.

SimpleObject is an abstract object defined in the SimpleModeling Reference Profile that specifies common attributes for domain objects. It delegates generic attribute groups—such as NameAttributes and LifecycleAttributes—as value objects, making it reusable as a base class for both entity objects and value objects. SimpleEntity inherits from SimpleObject and adds attributes such as the identifier (id) required for persistence, forming the foundation of entity objects.

An Entity Object is an object in a domain model that has a unique identifier (ID) and is continuously identified and tracked throughout its lifecycle. Entities are mutable and treated as the same object even if their state changes, as long as they retain the same ID.

A Domain Object is an object that represents concepts from the real-world domain targeted by a software system, encapsulating business logic and conceptual structure. It serves as a central building block of the domain model, encompassing elements such as entities, value objects, services, rules, and events. Domain objects are not just data structures or processing units within the system, but parts of a model that reflect the semantics and behavior of the problem domain.

A Value Object is an object in a domain model that represents a semantically meaningful group of values, such as attributes or descriptions. It does not have a persistent identity like an entity, is immutable, and equality is based on its values.

CML is a literate modeling language for describing Cozy models. It is designed as a domain-specific language (DSL) that forms the core of analysis modeling in SimpleModeling. CML allows model elements and their relationships to be described in a narrative style close to natural language, ensuring strong compatibility with AI support and automated generation. Literate models written in CML function as intermediate representations that can be transformed into design models, program code, or technical documentation.

A Literate Model is a “readable model” that integrates model structure with natural-language narrative (structured documentation). It extends the idea of literate programming into the modeling domain, unifying structure (model) and narrative (structured text) into a single intelligible artifact interpretable by both humans and AI. The concept of “Literate Modeling” has been explored previously by some researchers and developers, mostly as an approach to improve documentation or code comprehension. However, those attempts did not establish a systematic modeling methodology that integrates models, narrative, and AI assistance as a unified framework. The Literate Model is a modeling concept newly systematized and proposed by SimpleModeling for the AI era. Building upon the ideas of literate modeling, it redefines them as an intelligent modeling foundation that enables AI-collaborative knowledge circulation and model generation. It is not merely a modeling technique but a framework that embeds human reasoning and design intent as narrative within the model, enabling AI to analyze and reconstruct them to assist in design and generation.