Modeling in Jjodel: towards bridging complexity and usability in model-driven engineering

Jjodel is a cloud-based reflective platform designed to address the challenges of Model-Driven Engineering (MDE), particularly the cognitive complexity and usability barriers often encountered in existing model-driven tools. This article presents the motivation and requirements behind the design of Jjodel and demonstrates how it satisfies these through its key features. By offering a low-code environment with modular viewpoints for syntax, validation, and semantics, Jjodel empowers language designers to define and refine domain-specific languages (DSLs) with ease. Its innovative capabilities, such as live co-evolution support, and syntax customization, ensure adaptability for academic and industrial contexts. A practical case study of an algebraic expression language highlights the ability of Jjodel to manage positional semantics and event-driven workflows, illustrating its effectiveness in simplifying complex modeling scenarios. Built on modern front-end technologies, Jjodel aims to operationalize concepts from MDE research into a usable platform that supports a range of modeling tasks.