Creating Python-Style Domain Specific Languages: A Semi-Automated Approach and Intermediate Results

Weixing Zhang, Regina Hebig, Jan-Philipp Steghöfer, Jörg Holtmann

2023

Abstract

Xtext is a well-known domain-specific language design framework and technology. It automatically generates a textual grammar for a language, given a meta-model specified in Ecore. These generated textual grammars are typically not user-friendly. Python-style languages are popular among developers for their usability and conciseness. We aim to propose a systematic approach to transform a DSL with a generated grammar into a Python-style DSL. To achieve this, we analyze the problems of grammars generated with Xtext, based on a lightweight architecture description language. In response to these problems, we propose a general semi-automated grammar adaptation approach. We apply the approach to two other DSLs to validate the generalization of the approach. We also discuss the limitations of this approach and prospects for the future.

Paper Citation

in Harvard Style

Zhang W., Hebig R., Steghöfer J. and Holtmann J. (2023). Creating Python-Style Domain Specific Languages: A Semi-Automated Approach and Intermediate Results. In Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Model-Based Software and Systems Engineering - Volume 1: MODELSWARD, ISBN 978-989-758-633-0, pages 210-217. DOI: 10.5220/0011744900003402

in Bibtex Style

@conference{modelsward23,
author={Weixing Zhang and Regina Hebig and Jan-Philipp Steghöfer and Jörg Holtmann},
title={Creating Python-Style Domain Specific Languages: A Semi-Automated Approach and Intermediate Results},
booktitle={Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Model-Based Software and Systems Engineering - Volume 1: MODELSWARD,},
year={2023},
pages={210-217},
publisher={SciTePress},
organization={INSTICC},
doi={10.5220/0011744900003402},
isbn={978-989-758-633-0},
}

in EndNote Style

TY - CONF

JO - Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Model-Based Software and Systems Engineering - Volume 1: MODELSWARD,
TI - Creating Python-Style Domain Specific Languages: A Semi-Automated Approach and Intermediate Results
SN - 978-989-758-633-0
AU - Zhang W.
AU - Hebig R.
AU - Steghöfer J.
AU - Holtmann J.
PY - 2023
SP - 210
EP - 217
DO - 10.5220/0011744900003402