Abstract: A system and method for developing software using dynamic dual-mode model and data entry is presented. During development, a model developer uses a model window and an editor window to create a model-driven editor. The model window displays model data, and the editor window displays instances of the model data, which results in the model-driven editor. When the developer is ready to deploy the model-driven editor, the model developer simply inhibits the model window. Therefore, the models are not compiled during deployment and, in turn, the model developer does not need to test compiled code. Since the model-driven editor relies upon self-contained models, the models may be updated, added, or removed locally or remotely on an individual basis. In one embodiment, the end user is able to re-enable the model window in order to view model data.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to create a migration mapping definition based upon computer program changes and use the migration mapping definition to migrate instance data from an older software version format to a newer software version format. A developer uses edit commands, such as mouse commands and keyboard commands, to update a computer program. For example, a software developer may upgrade “Application XYZ” from version 1.0 to version 2.0 in order to include a simpler approach to import images, as well as the ability to import newer image format types. As a developer updates a computer program using edit commands, the edit commands are stored in a migration mapping definition. In turn, the migration mapping definition is deployed, along with the updated computer program, to an end user. The end user then uses the migration mapping definition to migrate instance data generated by the original computer program to instance data that is usable by the updated computer program.