Adding Standardized Variability to Domain Specific Languages

TLDR

DSLs are used to express variability, capturing all possible models in a domain through language constructs that define allowed variations. The study demonstrates that a common variability language can enhance DSL expressiveness and can be applied independently of the base modeling language. The authors investigate this by applying the variability language to both small DSLs and general‑purpose languages such as UML. The approach shows that a standardized variability language can improve DSL expressiveness and obviates the need for built‑in variability mechanisms.

Abstract

We show how a common language of variability can be used to enhance the expressiveness of a Domain Specific Language (DSL). DSLs have been proposed as a mechanism for expressing variability. Variability between models in a given domain or of a family of systems is captured by language constructs, implying that all possible models in this language are the allowed variations. We explore the possibility of expressing variability in a language independently of the base modeling language. We explore how this works for small DSLs as well as for general purpose languages like UML. Implications of this approach are that the variability language can be standardized, and that DSLs do not have to include variability mechanisms.