| Desription ......... The Domain-Specific Language Tools or more commonly known as DSL Tools is used to develop graphical languages. A domain-specific language (DSL) is useful in presenting a graphical structure of a step-by-step solution to a definite problem. Compared to a general-purpose language, which is the standard program code, a domain-specific language is used in performing tasks that explicitly focuses on the significant matters of a project. Through the use of a specific language, architects and software engineers can provide designs that are customizable and closely related to the particular task. Business environments can use a domain-specific language to describe a work flow, information model and structured databases. The created terms are used to generate comprehensible codes. A domain-specific language is mainly utilized by program developers in making work models and flow charts.
The Domain-Specific Language Tools was developed by Microsoft Corporation as a modeling tool to create diagrams through the use of a domain-specific language. The DSL Tools provides a fundamental overview of a process through the use of an organized model. The terms used on the diagram are specifically developed to describe the used concepts. A domain-specific language is used to define terms found on the generated charts. This is a very efficient way of providing definition of the data relayed via the visual presentation.
One concrete example of the use of the Domain-Specific Language Tools is a graphical flow chart. The DSL Tools can be used to develop a language that is comprehensive to the viewer. The description used on the flow chart provides a clear view of the ideas by adapting to the system requirements. For example, a building plan done by an architect can be presented to viewers by using a domain-specific language. The DSL Tools can be used to create a graphic presentation of the plan and use the generated terms to explain its contents. By this method, the precise concepts used on the plan are clearly conveyed to its viewer.
The DSL Tools is also designed to differentiate work processes. Through the use of a specific language, the terms used are precisely expressed in relation to the work category. General concepts are broken down into detailed descriptions of the idea to suit the preferred language.
The DSL Tools provides a variety of templates to be used in creating a systematic presentation. These diagram templates include Use Case diagram, activity diagram, class diagram and minimal language template. These templates are usable in creating organized solutions based on the type of problem to be discussed.
DSL Tools has been merged with Visual Studio SDK. Specifically, the DSL tools utilize the Visual Studio SDK to allow programmers to create plug-ins users may install on their machine. |