Structured Data Representation Using Ruby Syntax

This paper describes Ribbon (Ruby Instructions Becoming Basic Object Notation), a new representation written in a text-based data format using Ruby syntax. The design principle of Ribbon is good readability and simplicity of structured data representation. An important feature of Ribbon is an executable representation. Once Ribbon-related definitions are loaded into a Ruby interpreter, the representation can be executed corresponding to the definitions. Java programs are expected to read/write Java objects to persistent storage-media, or to traverse the structured data. A program generator was developed to create Ruby and Java programs from Ribbon definitions. In the author’s experience, productivity was improved in the design and implementation of programs that manipulate structured data.