Prior research has shown that high levels of software reuse can be achieved through the use of objectoriented frameworks. An object-oriented framework captures the common aspects of a family of applications, and thus, allows the designers and implementers to reuse this experience at the design and code levels. Despite of being a powerful design solution, frameworks are not always easy to use. This paper describes a technique that uses domain specific languages (DSL) to describe the framework variation points and therefore syntactically assure the creation of valid framework instances. This approach allows framework users to develop applications without worrying about the framework implementation and remaining focused on the problem domain. In addition, the use of DSLs allow for better error handling, when compared to the standard approach of adapting frameworks by directly adding subclasses. The DSL programs are translated to the framework instantiation code using a transformational system. The approach is illustrated through two real-world frameworks.
High-level ideas about object oriented framework development are sketched in REF .
Using Domain Specific Languages to Instantiate Object-Oriented Frameworks
IEE PROCEEDINGS – SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
Computer Science