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International Conference on Model-Driven Engineering and Software Development

MODELSWARD 2019: Model-Driven Engineering and Software Development pp 225–245Cite as

Towards Multi-editor Support for Domain-Specific Languages Utilizing the Language Server Protocol

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Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 1161))

Abstract

In model-driven software development (MDSD) projects, frequently domain experts and developers work together on the same model. However, they have quite different preferences concerning tools for working with a model. While developers require a powerful integrated development environment (IDE), domain experts are overwhelmed by the amount of functionality of an IDE and its confusing user interface. They prefer a simple editor, often provided as a web application, which does not require a local installation. Currently, both stakeholders typically agree on a common tool, which is frustrating for at least one of them. The Language Server Protocol (LSP) is a standard that aims to include language smarts into simple editors without turning them into IDEs. Originally, it has been designed for programming languages. In the present paper, we will give evidence based on a case study and a corresponding SWOT analysis that it is even more beneficial for a textual domain-specific language (DSL) as it is often used in MDSD. We will focus on the language workbench Xtext which supports the LSP. In particular, we will investigate how the LSP can be used to integrate a DSL into different development tools (editors and IDEs). Supplementing the SWOT analysis, we have also evaluated the practical relevance of the LSP.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. itemis AG, Bonn, Germany

    Hendrik Bünder

  2. ERCIS, University of Münster, Münster, Germany

    Herbert Kuchen

Authors
  1. Hendrik Bünder
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  2. Herbert Kuchen
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Hendrik Bünder or Herbert Kuchen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Siège du Groupe ESEO, Angers, France

    Slimane Hammoudi

  2. University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands

    Luís Ferreira Pires

  3. Malina Software Corporation, Nepean, ON, Canada

    Bran Selić

Appendix: Syntax of Entity DSL in Xtext Format

Appendix: Syntax of Entity DSL in Xtext Format

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Bünder, H., Kuchen, H. (2020). Towards Multi-editor Support for Domain-Specific Languages Utilizing the Language Server Protocol. In: Hammoudi, S., Pires, L., Selić, B. (eds) Model-Driven Engineering and Software Development. MODELSWARD 2019. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 1161. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37873-8_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37873-8_10

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-37872-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-37873-8

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

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