SMM Overview and Concepts

Purpose

System Model Manager (SMM) is an Eclipse plug-in that enables you to generate the system model diagram of the Symbian platform architecture. The plug-in is an interface to the System Model Generator (SMG) tool, which is used to create a system model diagram representing the Symbian platform architecture. UI and Phone vendors can use SMM to generate the system model diagram and extend it by including their components.

Key concepts

System model

System model is a hierarchical representation of the Symbian platform architecture. It is a hierarchy of Symbian platform architectural levels: layers, blocks, subblocks, collections and components.

System definition file

A system definition file is an XML file, which describes the layers, blocks, subblocks, collections and components that constitute the system model. It provides the following information about the Symbian platform architecture to generate the system model diagram:

  • Layers

    Represent the software stack and contains the highest level grouping within the Symbian platform, for example, Kernel Services, OS Services, Application Services, and so on.

  • Blocks

    Represent technology divisions in each Symbian platform layer. For example, PIM, Messaging, and so on are blocks in the Application Services layer.

  • Subblocks

    Represent subdivisions of blocks corresponding to divisions within the technology. For example, Networking Services, Communications Framework and so on are subblocks within Comms Services.

  • Collections

    A grouping of components into a coherent set of collaborating components which together deliver a complete, discrete, and identifiable part of the system functionality.

  • Components

    A component is the smallest architectural entity of the system. It is an implementation unit which provides a discrete, reusable piece of the system.

    A component is identified with a single MRP file which packages binaries, data, documentation and source code using by Component Based Release (CBR) delivery mechanism, and if described by a single bld.inf file. For example, Calendar, Agenda Model, and Contacts Model are components of the PIM Application Services block.

Besides the system model information, the system definition file also provides build configuration information for different versions of Symbian platform.

How SMM works

SMM processes the system definition files using the SMG tool to create a pictorial representation of the system model information in the system definition file. The SMG tool applies user-specified rules and criteria to style the system model diagram. After creating the system model diagram in SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) format, SMM uses the Adobe SVG Viewer plug-in to display it.

The following illustration is a pictorial representation of the system model diagram generation process:

System model diagram generation process


System model diagram generation process

Typical uses

Creating a system model diagram

You can use the SMM tool to create a system model diagram. The tool can process multiple system definition files. For more information about creating a system model diagram, refer to Creating a System Model Diagram.

Exporting a system model diagram

You can export an existing system model diagram to another location in your file system. This provides you an option to archive an existing system model diagram for future reference. For more information, refer to Exporting a System Model Diagram.