== Modeling Projects ==

ProMoT started as a tool working purely based on source-code in MDL files.
but over the years graphical use in complex modeling projects has become much more important.
To reflect this changes in mode of operation is is suggested to organize 
modeling in ModelingProjects, that help to keep the main classes, icons and 
source files together.

The main ideas are discussed on this page. The system of projects is currently in 
a planning phase. You are strongly encouraged to participate and comment on the presented ideas 
before implementation.

- What is the current state of modeling in ProMoT? -

Modeling in ProMoT takes place based on source files or is done with the help of the 
graphical user-interface. The sources are loaded into ProMoT, translated to class-objects 
(ModelingEntities) and changed by graphical editors in memory.

The ModelingEntities can be saved as MDL-code via Save All Classes and Save Selected Classes 
in the File-Menu. There is no simple Save, which saves the classes to the files they 
originally come from.

Users often work with LOAD.mdl files which do not define new classes themselfes but 

  * include libraries defining general classes
  * include files containing own ModelingEntities
  * adjust settings for finding the correct versions 
    of these files and the correct icons

The LOAD.mdl files constitute implicitly modeling projects.

- What is a Project? -

A project is a data-object in ProMoT that keeps and tracks all
ModelingEntities and associated data for a modeling project on a specific 
topic in the real world. It should facilitate the organization and 
general configuration of ProMoT for a specific task.

- What should a Project provide? -