"M" Modeling Language
According to the Data Developer Center, the "M" language and its features are used to define "custom language, schema for data (data models), and data values." The intention is to allow for very domain-specific expression of data and metadata values, thereby increasing efficiency and productivity. A key to "M" is that while it allows for making statements "about the structure, constraints, and relationships, but says nothing about how the data is stored or accessed, or about what specific values an instance might contain. By default, 'M' models are stored in a SQL Server database, but you are free to modify the output to any storage or access format. If you are familiar with XML, the schema definition feature is like XSD." The "M" language and its associated tools also simplify the creation of custom domain-specific languages (DSLs) by providing a generic infrastructure engine (parser, lexer, and compiler) that's configured with a specific "grammar". Developers have found many uses for such easy-to-define customer languages. Examples can be found in the "M" Language Gallery.
Recognizing the widespread interest in the ongoing development of the language, Microsoft shifted that development in March 2009 to a public group of individuals and organizations called the "M" Specification Community.
Read more about this topic: Oslo (Microsoft)
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