Domain-specific languages: From design to implementation application to video device drivers generation

Domain-Specific languages (DSL) have many potential advantages in terms of software engineering ranging from increased productivity to the application of formal methods. Although they have been used in practice for decades, t here has been little study of methodology or implementation tools for the D SL approach. In this paper, we present our DSL approach and its application to a realistic domain: the generation of video display device drivers. The presentation focuses on the validation of our proposed framework for domai n-specific languages, from design to implementation. The framework leads to a flexible design and structure, and provides automatic generation of effi cient implementations of DSL programs. Additionally, we describe an example of a complete DSL for video display adaptors and the benefits of the DSL a pproach for this application. This demonstrates some of the generally claim ed benefits of using DSLs: increased productivity, higher-level abstraction , and easier verification. This DSL has been fully implemented with our app roach and is available. Compose project URL: http://www.irisa.fr/compose/ga l.