IfI-Bib

Software Language Engineering

Creating Domain-specific Languages Using Metamodels

description

The definitive guide to Domain Specific Languages (DSLs): the newest breakthrough in software engineering productivity and quality. The first comprehensive, tool-independent guide to DSL design. Clearly explains all the complex concepts that DSL creators and users need to understand: syntax, semantics, and much more. For DSL developers in all environments, from advanced software engineering to vertical markets. By a leading expert who has created DSLs as a participant in both UML and OCL design. More and more software engineers are turning to Domain Specific Languages (DSLs) to solve specific types of problems, or to enhance software productivity and quality. This complete guide to DSL design will be invaluable to professionals interested in advanced techniques ranging from model-driven development to software factories - many of whom have no previous experience in creating new languages. Completely tool-independent, this book can serve as a primary resource for readers using Microsoft DSL tools, the Eclipse Modeling Framework, Open Architecture Ware, or any other toolset. Experienced DSL creator and researcher Anneke Kleppe introduces and explains every ingredient of an effective language specification, including its description of concepts, its description of how those concepts are denoted, and its description of the concepts' meaning and relationship to the specific domain. Kleppe carefully illuminates good design strategy, showing how to achieve maximum flexibility. Readers will also learn how to create new languages that cooperate well with other languages, and contain references to elements written in those languages. The book contains multiple examples, as well as a running case study, handy summaries, and references, as well as a glossary and abbreviation list. Sidebars, figures, and cartoons present insights and background knowledge designed to help software engineers create successful DSLs as rapidly as possible.

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