Patent ID: 7320120

Claim:
In a computing environment for use in computer implemented modeling, a method of creating a model element, the method comprising: selecting a notation from a plurality of notations, wherein each of the notations among the plurality of notations comprise a visual representation which may be used as a visual representation of a model element, and wherein each notation comprises one or more interfaces that provide information about capabilities of the notation for use in associating a notation with a semantic, but wherein each notation is independent of any semantic; selecting a semantic, the semantic providing a meaning of a model element in a modeling environment, and the semantic being independent from any notation, the semantic having one or more interfaces for accessing information about the semantic defining requirements of a notation that is to be associated with the selected semantic; and associating the selected notation with the selected semantic by associating the capabilities of the notation with the requirements of the semantic, where associating the selected notation with the selected semantic comprises: validating the notation for a paradigm; validating the semantic for the paradigm; and validating through the notation and semantic interfaces that the notation has capabilities to meet the requirements of the semantic.