LEESA: Embedding strategic and xpath-like object structure traversals in C++

Abstract

Traversals of heterogeneous object structures are the most common operations in schema-first applications where the three key issues are (1) separation of traversal specifications from type-specific actions, (2) expressiveness and reusability of traversal specifications, and (3) supporting structure-shy traversal specifications that require minimal adaptation in the face of schema evolution. This paper presents Language for Embedded quEry and traverSAl (LEESA), which provides a generative programming approach to address the above issues. LEESA is an object structure traversal language embedded in C++. Using C++ templates, LEESA combines the expressiveness of XPath's axes-oriented traversal notation with the genericity and programmability of Strategic Programming. LEESA uses the object structure meta-information to statically optimize the traversals and check their compatibility against the schema. Moreover, a key usability issue of domain-specific error reporting in embedded DSL languages has been addressed in LEESA through a novel application of Concepts, which is an upcoming C++ standard (C++0x) feature. We present a quantitative evaluation of LEESA illustrating how it can significantly reduce the development efforts of schema-first applications. © IFIP International Federation for Information Processing 2009.