# Eclipse Modeling Framework

> modeling framework and code generation facility for building tools and other applications based on a structured data model

**Wikidata**: [Q1281972](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1281972)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipse_Modeling_Framework)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eclipse-modeling-framework

## Summary
The Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF) is a free, open-source modeling framework and code generation tool for building applications based on structured data models. It is part of the Eclipse Modeling Project and is widely used in model-driven architecture (MDA) to abstract platform-specific details, allowing developers to focus on application behavior before implementation.

## Key Facts
- **License**: Distributed under the Eclipse Public License, making it free software.
- **Developer**: Maintained by the Eclipse Foundation.
- **Programming Language**: Primarily written in Java and runs on the Java Virtual Machine.
- **Operating Systems**: Compatible with Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- **Latest Stable Version**: 2.12.0, released on May 26, 2016.
- **Source Code**: Hosted on Eclipse’s Git repositories, including `http://git.eclipse.org/c/emf/org.eclipse.emf.git/`.
- **Part of**: Eclipse Modeling Project, a broader initiative for model-driven development tools.
- **Aliases**: Also known as EMF.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Eclipse Modeling Framework used for?
A: EMF is used to create tools and applications based on structured data models. It supports model-driven architecture by generating code from models, allowing developers to separate functionality from platform-specific implementation details.

### Q: Is the Eclipse Modeling Framework free to use?
A: Yes, EMF is free software released under the Eclipse Public License, permitting users to run, study, modify, and distribute it freely.

### Q: What operating systems does EMF support?
A: EMF runs on Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS, as it is built on the Java Virtual Machine.

### Q: Who develops the Eclipse Modeling Framework?
A: The Eclipse Foundation is the primary developer and maintainer of EMF.

### Q: What programming language is EMF based on?
A: EMF is written in Java and requires a Java Virtual Machine to run.

## Why It Matters
The Eclipse Modeling Framework plays a crucial role in model-driven architecture (MDA) by enabling developers to design applications at a higher level of abstraction. By generating code from structured data models, EMF reduces manual coding efforts, minimizes errors, and accelerates development cycles. It bridges the gap between conceptual design and implementation, allowing developers to focus on core functionality rather than platform-specific details. As part of the Eclipse ecosystem, EMF integrates seamlessly with other modeling tools, making it a cornerstone for building scalable, maintainable, and platform-independent applications. Its open-source nature and broad compatibility with major operating systems further enhance its adoption in both academic and industrial software development.

## Notable For
- **Model-Driven Development**: A key tool in model-driven architecture, enabling abstraction from platform-specific details.
- **Code Generation**: Automatically generates Java code from structured data models, reducing manual development time.
- **Cross-Platform Support**: Runs on major operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS) via the Java Virtual Machine.
- **Open-Source**: Freely available under the Eclipse Public License, fostering community collaboration and customization.
- **Integration with Eclipse**: Part of the Eclipse Modeling Project, ensuring compatibility with other Eclipse-based tools.

## Body
### Overview
The Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF) is a modeling framework and code generation facility designed to simplify the development of tools and applications based on structured data models. It is a core component of the Eclipse Modeling Project and adheres to the principles of model-driven architecture (MDA), which emphasizes the separation of application functionality from implementation details.

### Technical Details
- **Platform**: EMF runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), making it compatible with any system that supports Java.
- **Operating Systems**: Officially supports Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- **Programming Language**: Primarily implemented in Java, with generated code also in Java.
- **Source Code**: Available in Eclipse’s Git repositories, including:
  - `http://git.eclipse.org/c/emf/org.eclipse.emf.git/`
  - `https://git.eclipse.org/r/emf/org.eclipse.emf`

### Versions
- **Stable Versions**:
  - **2.12.0**: Released on May 26, 2016 (latest stable version as of the source material).
  - **2.9.1**: Released on August 27, 2013.

### Licensing and Distribution
- **License**: Eclipse Public License, classifying it as free software.
- **Developer**: Eclipse Foundation, a non-profit organization supporting open-source software development.

### Use Cases
EMF is widely used in:
- **Tool Development**: Building modeling tools and integrated development environments (IDEs).
- **Application Development**: Creating applications that rely on structured data models.
- **Model-Driven Architecture**: Facilitating the design and implementation of software systems through models.

### Related Technologies
- **Model-Driven Architecture (MDA)**: EMF aligns with MDA principles by abstracting platform-specific details.
- **Eclipse Modeling Project**: EMF is part of this larger initiative, which includes other modeling tools and frameworks.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Eclipse Modeling Framework",
  "description": "A modeling framework and code generation facility for building tools and applications based on structured data models.",
  "url": "http://www.eclipse.org/modeling/emf/",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5333216",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eclipse_Modeling_Framework"
  ],
  "additionalType": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q188181",
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1322618"
  ]
}

## References

1. [The eclipse_modeling_framework Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/eclipse_modeling_framework/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. Quora