Patterns for data and metadata evolution in adaptive object-models

Abstract

An Adaptive Object-Model (AOM) is an architectural pattern based upon a dynamic meta-modeling technique where the object model of the system is explicitly defined as data to be interpreted at run-time. The object model encompasses the full specification of domain objects, states, events, conditions, constraints and business rules. Several design patterns, that have before been documented, describe a set of good-practices within this domain. This paper approaches data and metadata evolution issues in the context of AOMs, by describing three additional patterns --- History of Operations, System Memento and Migration. They establish ways to track, version, and evolve information, at the several abstraction levels that may exist in an AOM.