Designing a Graphical Domain-Specific Modeling Language for Efficient Block Cipher Configuration: BCLang

Abstract

Block cipher (BC) is a type of symmetric cipher used to encrypt data. Despite its advantages, it faces a substantial challenge. Writing the script code for the BC scheme accurately using General-Purpose Programming Languages (GPPLs) poses a significant challenge for programmers. The aim of this paper is to present the first graphical domain-specific modeling language (DSML) for designing and implementing BC algorithms, called BCLang. It is an extension to our previous DSML that was developed for Stream cipher. Programming efficiency and expressiveness were increased by reducing grammar and runtime errors and providing a high level of abstraction. BCLang provides the fundamental components of the BC three structures, which enable the programmer to design and implement BC algorithms in a graphical manner. Two keystream generation methods, performance analysis, and tests of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for randomness analysis were provided. The presented language was evaluated based on five subjective metrics specific to graphical DSML evaluation. The design, evaluation details, and properties are explained in depth in this paper.