A Tool for Model-Based Language Specification

TL;DR

This paper introduces a model-based parser generator that separates language specification from processing, reducing maintenance effort and errors compared to traditional grammar-driven tools.

Contribution

It presents a novel approach to language specification that decouples syntax definition from data processing, improving flexibility and reusability.

Findings

Reduces update time when language formats change

Simplifies maintenance of multiple language specifications

Enhances reusability across different applications

Abstract

Formal languages let us define the textual representation of data with precision. Formal grammars, typically in the form of BNF-like productions, describe the language syntax, which is then annotated for syntax-directed translation and completed with semantic actions. When, apart from the textual representation of data, an explicit representation of the corresponding data structure is required, the language designer has to devise the mapping between the suitable data model and its proper language specification, and then develop the conversion procedure from the parse tree to the data model instance. Unfortunately, whenever the format of the textual representation has to be modified, changes have to propagated throughout the entire language processor tool chain. These updates are time-consuming, tedious, and error-prone. Besides, in case different applications use the same language, several copies of the same language specification have to be maintained. In this paper, we introduce a model-based parser generator that decouples language specification from language processing, hence avoiding many of the problems caused by grammar-driven parsers and parser generators.