Microsoft is embarking on a multi-year strategy called "Oslo", offering a model-based approach to systems development.

To me it sounds a bit like what we used to call CASE tools, i.e., Computer Aided Software Engineering, only now done with SOA components. Upper CASE, come to think of it. I am all for it – it seems to me that for every new technology generation, from 3rd generation though 4th to OO and SOA, we need to rediscover ways to describe what we want to do and processes for converting description into implementation.

Plus ça change…