Tara: Streamlining DSL Development through Syntactic Patterns

Abstract

This article introduces a method designed to simplify the development of domain specific languages (DSLs). We aim to address challenges associated with designing and implementing DSLs, advocating an approach that combines the strengths of both internal and external types. Central to our proposal is Tara, a mother language designed to provide the foundational structure upon which DSLs can be specialized. Based on an analytical framework, Tara includes a set of syntactic patterns that seeks to represent a wide range of domains. The use of syntactic patterns in DSL development appears to mirror software design patterns, offering similar benefits in terms of communication, readability, and maintainability. We believe that by adopting these patterns, DSL development can be streamlined and made more efficient. Furthermore, the benefits of integrating these syntactic patterns, not only enhance efficiency but also ensure greater consistency among DSLs.