Dan Massey

You are an architect on your company's new flagship application. The app encompasses several business and technical domains that are, in your opinion, well suited to domain-specific languages (DSLs). In years past, you would have turned to XML as the solution for all your DSL needs. With or without schemas, you would specify configuration files and scripts in files foul with angle brackets. Thankfully, for the discerning .NET architect, DSL implementation options are now plentiful. For each DSL you create, you need to identify the target user for that DSL. Is she a non-developer subject matter expert, a particular kind of developer, or an end user? This choice will drive the kinds of tools you make available to support the DSL. It will also influence choices such as whether your DSL is interpreted or when it is compiled. Before selecting DSL implementation strategie... (more)

An Architect's Guide to DSLs

You are an architect on your company's new flagship application. The app encompasses several business and technical domains that are, in your opinion, well suited to domain-specific languages (DSL). In years past, you would have turned to XML as the solution for all your DSL needs. With or without schemas, you would specify configuration files and scripts in files foul with angle brackets. Thankfully, for the discerning .NET architect, DSL implementation options are now plentiful. For each DSL you create, you need to identify the target user for that DSL. Is she a non-developer ... (more)