The separation of the two components allows the flexibility of connecting to a Workspace Database from different computers. When the User Interface is started, it prompts for the network address of the Workspace Database as well as a login name and password for accessing the database. A Workspace Database contains objects that represent different types of entities such as models or bibliographic references. Each database object is structured according to a particular template. A template defines the format of an object, including its attributes and subattributes and the permitted types of data that can be stored in each attribute.
Templates have names, and different templates are used to define different types of objects.
A template named Base Template is the lowest common denominator for all representations. All other templates are defined by starting either with Base Template or an existing template, then extending it to add new attributes. A mock-up of the Modeler's Workspace User Interface. It consists of a menu bar, a tool bar, a large central area, and a status bar at the bottom. This particular mock-up shows the Build pane.