Axoniq Conference 2025 Day 1: EMN Specification - From Event Models to Axon Framework 5 Code

🎯 Speakers:

• Simon Samarovski - Holisticon, Hamburg

• Christian Tiel - Holisticon, Hamburg

🔥 What is EMN?

A standardized XML-based specification for event modeling (like BPMN for processes):

• Machine-readable event model format

• Separates semantics from visualization

• Enables tool interoperability

• Supports validation and automation

• Code generation from models

• Funded by German Ministry of Science

💡 Key Innovation:

Problem: Event models are images - no validation, no automation, tool lock-in

Solution: EMN provides machine-readable XML specification enabling:

• ✅ Automated validation

• ✅ Code generation (Axon Framework 5)

• ✅ Test generation from specifications

• ✅ Tool interoperability

• ✅ Version control

• ✅ CI/CD integration

🏗️ EMN Components:

• Semantic Model - Timelines, slices, commands, events, views

• Type System - Reusable structures (JSON Schema, Avro, XML Schema)

• Instance Values - Concrete examples for specifications

• Visual Representation - Diagram Interchange/Context (from OMG)