Really Embedding Domain-Specific Languages into C++

TL;DR

This paper introduces an extension to the Clang C++ compiler that enables embedding domain-specific languages directly into C++ code using syntax plugins, improving integration without sacrificing software engineering practices.

Contribution

It presents a novel compiler extension that allows seamless embedding of DSLs into C++ code, enhancing usability and integration.

Findings

Enables embedding DSLs into C++ without source separation

Improves integration of DSLs in large codebases

Maintains performance and reliability benefits

Abstract

Domain-specific languages (DSLs) are both pervasive and powerful, but remain difficult to integrate into large projects. As a result, while DSLs can bring distinct advantages in performance, reliability, and maintainability, their use often involves trading off other good software-engineering practices. In this paper, we describe an extension to the Clang C++ compiler to support syntax plugins, and we demonstrate how this mechanism allows making use of DSLs inside of a C++ code base without needing to separate the DSL source code from the surrounding C++ code.