Polymorphic embedding of dsls

The influential pure embedding methodology of embedding domainspecific languages (DSLs) as libraries into a general-purpose host language forces the DSL designer to commit to a single semantics. This precludes the subsequent addition of compilation, optimization or domain-specific analyses. We propose polymorphic embedding of DSLs, where many different interpretations of a DSL can be provided as reusable components, and show how polymorphic embedding can be realized in the programming language Scala. With polymorphic embedding, the static type-safety, modularity, composability and rapid prototyping of pure embedding are reconciled with the flexibility attainable by external toolchains. Categories and Subject Descriptors D.3.2 [Programming Languages]: Language Classifications—Extensible languages, Specialized application languages; F.3.3 [Logics and Meanings of Programs]: Studies of Program Constructs General Terms Design, Languages Keywords Algebraic semantics, compositionality...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2008
• Where: GPCE
• Authors: Christian Hofer, Klaus Ostermann, Tillmann Rendel, Adriaan Moors
• Keywords: GPCE 2008, Polymorphic Embedding, Programming Languages, Pure Embedding, Pure Embedding Methodology