Using smgn for rapid protoptyping of small domain-specific languages

Abstract

This paper presents smgn, a grammar-based tool that provides support for scanning, parsing, and automatic parse tree construction. The parse tree can be easily navigated and manipulated with a specific macro language while conveniently generating textual output. smgn is easy to learn and well suited for rapid prototyping of small domain-specific languages. It is part of the SUIF compiler system, where it has been used for the rapid development of the Hoof domain-specific language. Furthermore, smgn was recently employed for the rapid development of another domain-specific language, called Bauhaus IMDL. These successful experiences motivate the promotion of smgn in the hope that other researchers that face the task of implementing a domain-specific language will find smgn equally helpful.