Adding complex cross-cutting functionality to (nearly) any language - mechanisms and challenges by Klaus Birken from itemis

Extending existing languages is a well-known design mechanism for gradually building feature-rich MPS-based applications. Providing some generic cross-cutting functionality applicable for any language with minimal assumptions about the targeted languages is a harder problem, especially if this mix in functionality is more involved than relatively trivial features like IDocumentable. We will present variant management as a typical example application for generic, cross-cutting, algorithmically demanding functionality. The talk will focus on how the IETS3 variant management framework can be applied to (nearly) any target language. We will show which generic features the framework provides and how they smoothly extend the user experience, although the designer of the original language did not prepare for this. For language engineers, we’ll also discuss the mechanisms we are using for implementing these features. The talk will be complemented by live demos.

Slides: [ Ссылка ]

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