There are methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for using incremental generation to develop an application. The incremental generation includes identifying a first main development object. Main development objects related to the first main development objects by an aggregation relationship are identified. Main development objects related to the first main development object by an association relationship are also identified. A determination is made as to whether any identified main development objects have changed. If any identified main development objects have changed, the first main development object is re-generated.