Domain-Specific Languages

The cluster focuses on debates about the advantages and disadvantages of Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs) versus general-purpose languages, including whether to embed DSLs in existing languages like Ruby or Lisp or create standalone ones.

➡️ Stable 0.5x Programming Languages
3,394
Comments
20
Years Active
5
Top Authors
#3084
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Keywords

e.g IMHO www.cse IDE chalmers.se DPL IMO XML DSL ABAP dsl language languages domain turing complete turing domain specific different languages embedding tools

Sample Comments

pseud0r Jul 8, 2016 View on HN

That's just because you lack the tools to efficiently create new DSLs

Hexstream Oct 25, 2008 View on HN

The author seems to be advocating DSLs unknowingly.

smw May 28, 2021 View on HN

YES! Preach! Stop making me write DSLs in things that aren't programming languages, and start using programing languages that naturally allow DSLs.

typon May 9, 2018 View on HN

Why is writing DSLs strictly worse than writing complicated transformations built on top of the limited constructs provided by the language itself? (You said never)

mrits Aug 29, 2024 View on HN

It's a lot easier to design a good DSL when it doesn't have to be compatible with anything

psychoslave Nov 22, 2022 View on HN

Well, go with a language that makes DSL a peace of cake, like Ruby.

homie Feb 4, 2020 View on HN

a language being a DPL doesn't preclude it from being a DSL

loa_in_ Jun 18, 2025 View on HN

Every language other than machine level assembly instructions as human readable code is a DSL.

sedachv Feb 12, 2015 View on HN

What's wrong with DSLs? They make it easier to read and understand code.

st3fan Feb 15, 2008 View on HN

It sounds like the concepts he is describing are more appropriate for a DSL within an existing language than in a completely new language.