Further Reading - Model-Driven and Software Product Line Engineering - page 234

parameterize the state charts. In some sense, it enables the
configurationofthedynamicbehavioraccordingtothefeatures
selected in a product. There is a need to improve MD-SPL to
address dynamic variability; one new aspect is the existence of
international workshops dedicated to this issue.
8.11. Domain specific languages
A domain specific language (DSL) is a language devoted
to a specific area of expertise; it is a language tailored for
particularapplicationcontexts.InDSLs,thelanguageconcepts
represent things in the domain context, not the code context.
The language follows the domain semantics and abstractions,
allowing developers to perceive themselves as working directly
with domain concepts. DSLs can be seen as opposed to general
purpose languages such as C++ or Java, which can express
any domain and any computation on these domains. The rules
of the domain can be included in the language as constructs
or constraints, ideally making it impossible to specify illegal
programs. The close alignment of DSLs and domain problems
offer several benefits. Many of these benefits are common to
other strategies for moving toward higher levels of abstraction:
better system quality, better tackling of complexity, and
improved productivity. Every domain contains its own specific
concepts, constructs, and semantics. Therefore, DSLs need to
be specific for each domain. Domain concepts are more natural
and reflect the underlying computational models, which are
typically already known and in use, and needed to design
the products. Final code can still be generated from these
high-level specifications.The main principle for the automated
code generation from DSLs is that both the generators and
languages have to fit the selected context requirements.
This is a current active area of research; it was identified
as an important technology for generative programming
in [CZA 02]. DSLs cover a wide variety of forms and
techniques [MER 05, CZA 02]; the interested reader should