The document discusses Domain Specific Languages (DSLs) and their application in C++ code generation, highlighting their advantages such as low programming complexity and faster development. It emphasizes the use of Xtext, an Eclipse framework for creating DSLs, which provides various features like easy integration, grammar definition support, and a powerful code generation engine. The presentation also outlines scenarios for using DSLs, particularly in environments with existing entity models or meta-models.

1. Domain Specific Languages and C++ Code Generation
Florentin Picioroaga
IDS GmbH, Ettlingen, Germany
filo.rom@gmail.com
February 23, 2017
Florentin Picioroaga (IDS GmbH) DSL & C++ Code Generation February 23, 2017 1 / 11

2. Overview
1 Motivation
2 DSL
What is a DSL?
Why using a DSL?
When using a DSL?
3 Xtext, the DSL engine
4 Xtext, workshop
Florentin Picioroaga (IDS GmbH) DSL & C++ Code Generation February 23, 2017 2 / 11

3. Motivation
Increase productivity, combine C++ system performance with new
technologies with high developing productivity
challenge you to share similar interoperabilities between technologies
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4. What is a DSL?
DSL
Domain Specific Language: a language created to solve a specific category
of problems. It contrasts with a GPL which is a General Programming
Language.
Examples:
GPL: C++, Java, Ruby, etc.
DSL: IDL, HTML, CSS, GraphViz, make, ant, SQL, LaTex, lexx,
yacc, etc.
This presentation focuses on a sub-category of DSL the domain-specific
modeling.
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5. What is a DSL?
Characteristics:
it does not support any of the programming paradigms found in
GPLs: procedural programming, OOP, generic programming or
functional programming
Florentin Picioroaga (IDS GmbH) DSL & C++ Code Generation February 23, 2017 5 / 11

6. What is a DSL?
Characteristics:
it does not support any of the programming paradigms found in
GPLs: procedural programming, OOP, generic programming or
functional programming
almost no support for implementing algorithms
Florentin Picioroaga (IDS GmbH) DSL & C++ Code Generation February 23, 2017 5 / 11

7. What is a DSL?
Characteristics:
it does not support any of the programming paradigms found in
GPLs: procedural programming, OOP, generic programming or
functional programming
almost no support for implementing algorithms
it implies code-generation, the DSL code is the source for the
generated code
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8. Why using a DSL?
low programming complexity. Interactions in DSL between
different elements is low.
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9. Why using a DSL?
low programming complexity. Interactions in DSL between
different elements is low.
fast development. Implementing the DSL core done by domain and
DSL experts → less bugs, higher quality for the generated code. The
DSL can be then used efficiently by domain users.
Florentin Picioroaga (IDS GmbH) DSL & C++ Code Generation February 23, 2017 6 / 11

10. Why using a DSL?
low programming complexity. Interactions in DSL between
different elements is low.
fast development. Implementing the DSL core done by domain and
DSL experts → less bugs, higher quality for the generated code. The
DSL can be then used efficiently by domain users.
strong decoupling business-logic from implementation. A DSL
provides a higher abstraction level. Implementation details 100% for
programming experts.
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11. When using a DSL?
an entity model/meta-model exists. Example: the application works
with a database, a XML data model, EMF (Eclipse Modeling
Framework) model.
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12. When using a DSL?
an entity model/meta-model exists. Example: the application works
with a database, a XML data model, EMF (Eclipse Modeling
Framework) model.
eventually the entities support operations
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13. When using a DSL?
an entity model/meta-model exists. Example: the application works
with a database, a XML data model, EMF (Eclipse Modeling
Framework) model.
eventually the entities support operations
the entity model is used repetitively
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14. Xtext, the DSL engine
Xtext is an Eclipse framework for developing DSLs.
Features:
easy to learn
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15. Xtext, the DSL engine
Xtext is an Eclipse framework for developing DSLs.
Features:
easy to learn
mature and with very good community support
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16. Xtext, the DSL engine
Xtext is an Eclipse framework for developing DSLs.
Features:
easy to learn
mature and with very good community support
easy to integrate with other technologies
Florentin Picioroaga (IDS GmbH) DSL & C++ Code Generation February 23, 2017 8 / 11

17. Xtext, the DSL engine
Xtext is an Eclipse framework for developing DSLs.
Features:
easy to learn
mature and with very good community support
easy to integrate with other technologies
IDE support for grammar definition
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18. Xtext, the DSL engine
Xtext is an Eclipse framework for developing DSLs.
Features:
easy to learn
mature and with very good community support
easy to integrate with other technologies
IDE support for grammar definition
auto-generated DSL editor with: syntax highlighting, jump to
definition, find references, etc.
Florentin Picioroaga (IDS GmbH) DSL & C++ Code Generation February 23, 2017 8 / 11

19. Xtext, the DSL engine
Xtext is an Eclipse framework for developing DSLs.
Features:
easy to learn
mature and with very good community support
easy to integrate with other technologies
IDE support for grammar definition
auto-generated DSL editor with: syntax highlighting, jump to
definition, find references, etc.
powerful code generation engine, Xtend, with: syntax highlighting,
debug support
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20. Enjoy live demo with Xtext!
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21. References
Wikipedia: DSL
Wikipedia: DSM
Xtext
Xtend
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22. Hope you enjoyed!
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