Increasing both speed of development and the quality of your information systems is not an illusion. It can be done using Model-based Application Development (MAD). MAD will not end of all your “development problems”, nor will it be the absolute perfect solution. It is however a very good method to develop information systems. Model-based Application Development: Cuts down development time drastically. Make it easier to estimate the development time. Makes it very easy to create prototypes. Significantly reduces the number of bugs in the software. Results in software with a very consistent interface. Reduces maintenance costs of software.

What is Model-based Application Development (MAD)? An important issue when designing the structure of databases is normalization. A proper database is at least in the third normal form (3NF/BNF). Why is normalization such an important topic in the design of databases? Normalization assures redundant-free storage of data. And as experienced developers know, redundancy in the design of a database is disastrous. “Redundant-free” means that there is only a single point in the database where the data is stored. This introduces a more general concept: “Single Point of Definition” (SPOD). The principle of SPOD is not limited to the design of databases. In fact it is one of the most important principles for developing any software. Modal-based Application Development applies the principle of Single Point of Definition to almost every aspect of the creation of information systems. There should only be a Single Point of Definition for the domain properties, field properties, constraints etc. In fact the most precise definition of MAD would probably be: “Model-based Application Development is the principle of Single Point of Definition applied to every aspect in the architecture of information systems.”