CNL2C: An editor, syntax checker and code generator for CNUIML using Xtext and Xtend
Subject Areas : Computer EngineeringHosein Bahri 1 , Homayoon Motameni 2 , Behnam Barzegar 3
1 - Department of Computer Engineering, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran
2 - Department of Computer Engineering, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran
3 - Department of Computer Engineering, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran
Keywords: User interface description language, Model-driven user interface modeling, Xtext, Xtend, Automatic code generation,
Abstract :
End-User Development (EUD) is a dynamic research area in computer science, focusing on empowering end-users to create and modify software through various approaches, constantly evolving with new methods and tools. To enhance end-user participation, research suggests developing user-friendly tools for end-users to design the UI, with the final source code derived from analyzing and automatically transforming this UI. Controlled natural language programming uses a limited version of a natural language for coding. This approach enhances programming accessibility by enabling end-users to code in a familiar language, maintaining the necessary precision and clarity. This research study the development of the CNUIML language and generation of an editor for it using Xtext. It delves into syntax error checking and target code generation using Xtext and Xtend. The CNUIML language is used to describe web application interfaces, focusing on system requirements and end-user concerns. Web applications consist of interconnected pages and forms, forming a tree of objects. The meta-model for a web application includes Form, Sub-form, Data item, and Domain range and type of values. Each application is a set of forms with specific value types and domains. Data values can be specified using specific data types or by referring to data items in other forms.
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