Key Challenges for Modeling Language Creation By Demonstration

Modeling languages are used by software engineers to design and document the structure and behavior of a system. Although many modeling languages have been proposed, Domain-Specific Modeling Languages (DSMLs) have emerged recently due to their simplicity and expressiveness for a particular domain. However, it is not easy for end-users to design and implement DSMLs because DSML development requires both domain knowledge and language development expertise. To help domain experts, who do not have language development expertise, in creating their own DSMLs, we propose the notion of “Modeling Language Creation By Demonstration,” which can infer a metamodel and associated semantics from example demonstrations. The goal of the approach is to assist domain experts in developing and using their own DSMLs that support the use of formal (or pre-defined) and freeform shapes for modeling concepts in a specific domain. In this position paper, we identify the key challenges in using a demonstration-based approach to define modeling languages.