SMN can be thought of as a Universal System Integrator that can enter into any computational space and integrate its various systems and processes into higher level systems and processes that allow us to interact with the low-level functionality in more intuitive and complex ways. Hence, within any electronically controllable environment we could create an SMN process that integrates that environments systems and processes into higher-level systems and processes.

SMN can be introduced into any computational-space. The SMN integrator has an interface through which the user can view and interact with the virtual model, which consists of systems or processes within the computational-space, which are reified within the virtual space where they are integrated into higher-level systems and processes.

The System Oriented Modelling Paradigm project is in its first phase wherein we apply SMN to Java so this phase could be called "System Oriented Java". It uses the Java programming environment as the computational-space and a Netbeans IDE plugin as the interface, which will provide an SMN view into a virtual model that consists of Java objects.

This gives a high level systemic IDE for the Java programming language that will allow for the development of complex robust systems in Java. When deployed these will be pure Java programs, but they will be implicitly structured according to the systemic logic of SMN.

I could imagine an analogous situation with an interface application that provides an SMN-view into a virtual model that consists of POSIX operating system objects and procedures. POSIX is an international standard that many operating systems conform to such as UNIX, Linux, Mac OS X and also Windows using the UWIN extension. The OS objects and procedures are shell commands, shell scripts, programs, directories, files, devices and so on. The POSIX OS is the computational-space and the SMN-viewer application is the interface.

In this scenario we introduce an SMN process into the OS environment that integrates all the various systems and processes into higher-level systems and processes. The programs could be used as subsystems with which to construct complex robust computing environments. The user could interact primarily with systemic virtual models whilst behind the scenes the native programs are integrated by SMN to implement the low-level functionality. This could be developed into a high level systemic human/computer interface that can operate within any POSIX OS.

If the computational space is web content on a web-server then SMN could animate this in a similar manner to PHP or JSP but in a far more systematic manner allowing for more complex dynamic web content.

If the computational space is a network of computers then SMN could integrate their computational power into a single coherent SMN process. In this context the computers can seamlessly interact within a common virtual space and if we wish we can make a super-computer out of many regular computers or transform a super-computer into many virtual computers.

If the computational space is a set of concepts in a discourse then SMN could systematically map these as concept maps (mind maps) or ontologies and validate them, allowing for more complex conceptual communication. This would use OWL (Web Ontology Language) for clear and precise expression of ideas, beliefs, opinions, conceptual models, plans, processes and so on. It could lead to systemic methods for the integration of different perspectives which would assist in conflict resolution and the development of a unified understanding amidst a diversity of perspectives.

If the computational space is raw computer hardware then SMN could act as a complete operating system by reifying the various devices as systems within a virtual space where they are integrated into a unified systemic computing environment. The core SMN process can be implemented on-chip (or in-silico) to produce a very fast pure-SMN computer.

If the computational space is a modern industrial plant that is electronically controllable, then SMN integrates all the components of the plant and reifies the plant as a virtual system whose behaviour can be closely monitored and controlled for greater safety and efficiency.

SMN is a general systemic process that can be introduced into any computational space. The project would seek to develop the general principles whereby SMN can be applied to any electronically controllable environment to integrate its various systems and processes into higher-level systems and processes.

We initially implement these principles within the context of Java. This serves as a useful tool as well as an example of how SMN can be applied, which can help people apply SMN in other contexts.

Once the first "System Oriented Java" phase is well underway we could then look to what other systemic context we could apply SMN to next. Hopefully there will be others doing the same. There would also be many other facets to the project such as, documentation, networking, etc.

This will shortly be released as an open-source project with some kind of a GPL license so let me know if you want to get involved - there's a lot of work to be done to fully define and develop this new technology and it will be exciting to see it come together.

Best Wishes :)
John Ringland
www.anandavala.info