Domain-specific modeling: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 21:29, 5 April 2011

Revision as of 18:55, 20 August 2011

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== Overview ==

Domain-specific modeling (DSM) often also includes the idea of [[Automatic programming|code generation]]: [[Automation|automating]] the creation of executable [[source code]] directly from the DSM models. Being free from the manual creation and maintenance of source code means DSM can significantly improve developer productivity<ref name="dsmKelly">Kelly, S. and Tolvanen, J.-P., (2008) ''Domain-Specific Modeling: Enabling Full Code Generation,'' John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey. ISBN 978-0-470-03666-2 [http://dsmbook.com]</ref>. The reliability of automatic generation compared to manual coding will also reduce the number of defects in the resulting programs thus improving quality.

DSM differs from earlier code generation attempts in the [[Computer-aided software engineering|CASE]] tools of the 1980s or [[Unified Modeling Language|UML]] tools of the 1990s. In both of these, the code generators and modeling languages were built by tool vendors. While it is possible for a tool vendor to create a DSM language and generators, it is more normal for DSM to occur within one organization. One or a few expert developers creates the modeling language and generators, and the rest of the developers use them.

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== Domain-specific modeling topics ==

=== Defining DSM languages ===

To define a language, one needs a language to write the definition in. The language of a model is often called a [[metamodeling|metamodel]], hence the language for defining a modeling language is a meta-metamodel. Meta-metamodels can be divided into two groups: those that are derived from or customizations of existing languages, and those that have been developed specifically as meta-metamodels.

Derived meta-metamodels include [[Entity-relationship model|Entity Relationship Diagrams]], [[Formal languages]], [[Extended Backus-Naur form|EBNF]], [[Ontology language (computer science)|Ontology languages]], [[XML Schema]], and [[Meta-Object Facility|MOF]]. The strengths of these languages tend to be in the familiarity and standardization of the original language.