Xtext is a framework for developing textual domain-specific languages and text-based programming languages. It uses Eclipse, EMF, and ANTLR to provide features like parsing, code generation, validation, and editing support. Xtext allows defining the grammar of a language and generates artifacts like parsers, indexers, and editors. It supports integration with other Eclipse technologies and allows customizing various parts of the language workflow through extension points and dependency injection.

1. http://live.eclipse.org/node/705
Eclipse Live Webinar on
Sven Efftinge, Heiko Behrens
itemis

2. Agenda
What is Xtext?
DSLs - An Example
Underlying Technology
Advanced Topics
Questions & Answers

3. ?
What is

4. A Language Framework

5. Yet another
Parser Generator?
JavaCC

6. Yet another
Parser Generator?
t ha t!
than
ore
it’sm
No,
JavaCC

7. How does Xtext
relate to ...
IDE Meta-tooling Platform (IMP)
Dynamic Language Toolkit (DLTK)

8. How does Xtext
relate to ...
IDE Meta-tooling Platform (IMP) !
at
an th
o re th
t is m
Xt ex Language Toolkit (DLTK)
Dynamic

9. Is it a language workbench?
JetBrains Meta Programming System
Intentional Domain Workbench Microsoft Oslo

10. Is it a language workbench?
le te ly
m p rc e!
it’s co s ou
ut en
JetBrains Meta Programming System
,b op
Y es a nd
as ed
t ex t-b
Intentional Domain Workbench Microsoft Oslo

11. Xtext is a complete environment
for development of textual
- programming languages and
- domain-specific languages.
It is implemented in Java and is
based on Eclipse, EMF, and Antlr.

12. Domain-Specific Language (DSL)
A DSL is a formal, processable language
targeting at a specific viewpoint or
aspect of a software system.
Its semantics, flexibility and notation is
designed in order to support working
with that viewpoint as good as possible.

13. Rd2-c2

14. “ Queen to c7.
Check.”
“ Rd2-c2 ,
rook at d2 moves to c2.”

15. Moves in Chess:
!ook at a1 moves to a5.
P
iece S q uare A
ction
De stin ation
"ishop at c8 captures knight at h3.n
P
iece S q uare io
Action
D
es tinat
# b1 x c3
Piece S qua re ction stination
AD e
$2 - g4
ation
S A D
quar
e ction e stin

16. Rook a1 move a5
Bishop c8 capture h3 Knight
Knight b1 capture c3 Queen
Pawn g2 move g4
Game Move
Source «enum»
WhitePlayer
* Destination Piece
BlackPlayer
Piece

17. "ishop at c8 captures knight at h3
" c8 x h3

18. Model (textfile)
White: "Mayfield"
Black: "Trinks"
pawn at e2 moves to e4
pawn at f7 moves to g5
K b1 - c3
f7 - f5
queen at d1 moves to h5
// 1-0

19. DEMO

20. Underlying Technology

21. ar
Model
m
m
ra
G
Generator
Runtime
Superclass
Subclass Class
LL(*) Parser ecore meta model editor

22. Java Persistence API (JPA)
package templates;
import java.io.Serializable;
import java.util.*;
import javax.persistence.*;
@SuppressWarnings("serial")
@Entity
public class Customer implements Serializable {
! private Long id;
! private String name;
! private Address address;
! private Set<Order> orders = new HashSet<Order>();
! // No-arg constructor
! public Customer() {
! }
! @Id
! public Long getId() { entity Customer {
! ! return id;
! } ! property name : String
! public void setId(Long id) { ! property address : Address
! ! this.id = id;
! } ! property orders : Order[]
! public String getName() {
! ! return name; }
! }
! public void setName(String name) {
! ! this.name = name;
! }
! public Address getAddress() {
! ! return address;
! }
! public void setAddress(Address address) {
! ! this.address = address;
! }
! @OneToMany
! public Collection<Order> getOrders() {
! ! return orders;
! }
! public void setOrders(Set<Order> orders) {
! ! this.orders = orders;
! }
}

23. DEMO

24. ar
Model
m
m
ra
G
Generator Fragments
Generator
Runtime
Superclass
Subclass Class
LL(*) Parser ecore meta model editor

25. Composable
Code Generator
! generator is composed of “fragments”
! fragments can contribute to:
! Manifest.MF
! plugin.xml
! Guice modules
! Add your own fragments

26. ar
Model
m
m
ra
G
Generator
Runtime
Google Guice
Superclass
Subclass Class
LL(*) Parser ecore meta model editor

27. licensed by http://www.wordle.net/

28. MyCustomLabelProvider
licensed by http://www.wordle.net/

29. Dependency Injection with
Googlee
!No dependency to concrete implementation
!No explicit construction
!Easy testing
!Easy composition

30. Configuration of Components
in Xtext
/**
* used to register components to be used within the IDE.
*/
public class DomainmodelUiModule
! ! extends GeneratedDomainmodelUiModule {
!
! @Override
! public Class<? extends ILabelProvider> bindILabelProvider() {
! ! return MySpecialLabelProvider.class;
! }
}

31. DEMO

32. Advanced Topics

33. Integration with EMF
eclipse
Any EMF-based modeling
Code Generator GMF Editor P R O J E C T
Component
<<abstract>> XMI
XMIResource
Resource
XtextResource Text
Parser Linker Serializer
ValueConverter ScopeProvider Formatter

34. Working with Xtext
// initialization and setup (only needed in standalone mode)
new EntityStandaloneSetup().createInjectorAndDoEMFRegistration();
// standard EMF API usage
ResourceSet resourceSet = new ResourceSet();
Resource resource = resourceSet.getResource(uriToModelFile, true);
Model model = (Model) resource.getContents().get(0);
// print the name of all types to the console
for (Type type : model.getElements()) {
System.out.println(type.getName());
}

35. Eclipse Helios
•Model Index
• Grammar Mixins
• Base Language
• UI Features

37. Questions & Answers