Towards dynamic evolution of domain specific languages

Abstract

We propose the development of a framework for the variable interpretation of Domain Specific Languages (DSL). Domains often contain abstractions, the interpretation of which change in conjunction with global changes in the domain or specific changes in the context in which the program executes. In a scenario where domain assumptions encoded in the DSL implementation change, programmers must still work with the existing DSL, and therefore take more effort to describe their program, or sometimes fail to specify their intent. In such circumstances DSLs risk becoming less fit for purpose. We seek to develop an approach which makes a DSL less restrictive, maintaining flexibility and adaptability to cope with changing or novel contexts without reducing the expressiveness of the abstractions used. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.