Méthode pour la définition des langages dédiés basée sur le métamodèle ISO/IEC 24744

Abstract

In the last few years, there has been an increasing interest in Domain Specific Languages (DSL). This interest was triggered by the emergence of approaches such as Model Driven Engineering (MDE), Model Driven Architecture (MDA), software product lines (SPL), software factories and Model Driven Software Development (MDSD). While the goal of these approaches is, basically, to raise the level of abstraction in software development beyond code by using precise, domain-focused models that can be easily processed by computer-based tools, they are all suffering from the lack of languages capable of producing such models and are looking for better solutions to support software development according to this new paradigm. In this regard, a number of specialists believe domain specific languages to be an interesting solution for producing models intended for development purposes rather than just for documentation purposes. Domain specific languages have been proven efficient in increasing productivity, improving maintainability, raising the level of abstraction, and producing concise models. However, the design of high fidelity domain specific languages with appropriate abstractions and concepts to model the domain at hand is a hard task that requires from developers both domain knowledge and language development skills. Therefore, providing facilities to make DSL development easier is a significant step toward concretizing domain and model driven approaches. We believe that in order to develop useful facilities for DSL development, efforts need to be focused on three major areas: 1) processes to provide a disciplined approach for DSL development, 2) tools to support language development and maintenance and 3) standards to allow languages and tools to be designed and developed in a unified and interoperable way. This thesis is a contribution to the process area. It proposes a method for developing DSL based on the ISO/IEC 24744 metamodel (Software Engineering-Metamodel for Development Methodologies - SEMDM). It describes, among others, the activities and tasks to be executed during a DSL development project along with the artifacts to be manipulated (created, used or modified) and the people involved. It also provides, when possible, techniques and guidelines explaining how some method elements can be used.

Date	16 Jun 2011
Original language	French
Awarding Institution	École de technologie supérieure
Supervisor	Alain Abran (Supervisor)