Interactive language development for embedded systems

Abstract

Domain-specific languages form programming support leading to simpler and safer programs, which is highly desirable for programming embedded systems and manufacturing equipment. However, language design is non-trivial, and the required development effort is often too costly for industrial projects. To cope with this problem, we have implemented a highly interactive tool, APPLAB, for developing and experimenting with domain-specific languages, and used it in the development of a programming environment for industrial robots. APPLAB supports the development of domain-specific languages by providing a high-level specification formalism (reference attributed grammars), and by providing integrated language-based support for editing syntax, semantics and the application program. The tool was connected to an industrial robot and confronted with programming topics encountered in typical industrial applications. Experiences from our full-scale prototype, including the development of a robot programming language, shows that interactive language development is very beneficial for programming of embedded systems.