Abstract: MDA is a new way of applied system analysis and design，which does not depend on infrastructure platforms, through defining models and driving transformation among models. The authors introduce a new GIS development method based on MDA. Using this method, developers can make modeling, model transaction behavior and elements of specific domain crossing different GIS platforms, and focus on application regardless of the characteristics of GIS platforms. The authors also presents principles and methods of building platform independent models through establishing domain models and general GIS models, and mapping platform independent model to platform specific model based on UML Profile, as well as the way of generating software codes from platform specific models using model developing tools.

Key words: MDA, GIS, GIS application development