'Oslo', Microsoft next generation modelling

We have several successful and variable models in the market for software lifecycle management like say ‘Waterfall' and ‘WinWin' etc, I have always thought of  having something from Microsoft to work out on projects which are based on .Net.

'OSLO'

In the “Oslo” modelling methodology, information is contained in a XAML file.

Data about the model is located in the “Oslo” repository, a SQL Server database in form of model data structures, relationships, and constraints in a secure, robust, and scalable manner

Interaction with Model data:

There are two ways to manipulate and work with your models 

• Intellipad
• Quadrant

For Intellipad:

http://blogs.msdn.com/intellipad/default.aspx

"Quadrant"

Microsoft code name “Quadrant” is a graphical tool for viewing, editing, and exploring data found in any SQL Server database. As the data about the model is located in repository, people can query that data and get a graphical representation using tools from Microsoft, having code name “Quadrant”.

“Quadrant” is part of the code name “Oslo” modelling technologies are used for navigating data in databases, and that modules, extents, and entities defined using the Microsoft code name “M” tool chain are surfaced directly in “Quadrant”. Instead of interacting with the underlying SQL Server data, you can simply use “Quadrant” to easily browse data.

Another interesting thing is we are able to browse modelling data stored in the underlying Sql server DB in simple windows folder navigation pattern.

How all Works:




Release Plan for OSLO

Courtesy: Guy Burstein Blog

How to Get Started:


Download Link for Oslo SDK: 
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=827122a5-3ca0-4389-a79e-87af37cbf60d&displaylang=en

Along with ‘Oslo' SDK istallation, there is also added one “Oslo” template in your Visual Studio visible as ‘M' project.


More about how to get it and running follow: 
http://vkreynin.wordpress.com/2009/06/01/creating-an-m-project-in-vs-2010/




 
References and further reading

MSDN: ‘Quadrant'
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd857506(VS.85).aspx

Oslo Updates and Developments
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/oslo/default.asp

Creating Oslo Model in Intellipad:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/dd857490(VS.85).aspx

Working with Oslo using Quadrant:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/dd857489(VS.85).aspx

Learning 'Oslo'
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/oslo/cc748651.aspx

Miscellaneous
http://activeknowledgemodeling.com/2009/05/29/microsoft-oslo-quadrant-first-impressions/

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-gb/library/dd129514(VS.85).aspx