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DSL
A DSL is a programming or specification language dedicated to a particular problem domain, a particular problem representation technique, and/or a particular solution technique.
Examples
- SQL – querying and manipulating relational databases.
- HTML – for structuring content on the web.
- R – statistical computing and graphics.
- Makefiles – for building projects.
- Regular Expressions – for pattern matching.
- Markdown (READ.md or https://stackedit.io/app#)
- Mermaid - Mermaid (https://mermaid.live/)
Use Cases
- Building data pipelines (e.g., dbt, Airflow DAGs).
- Writing infrastructure-as-code (e.g., Terraform HCL).
- Designing UI layout (e.g., QML for Qt UI design).
- IoT rule engines (e.g., IFTTT or Node-RED flows).
- Statistical models using R.
Why Use DSL?
- Shorter, more expressive code in the domain.
- Higher-level abstractions.
- Reduced risk of bugs for domain experts.
Optional Challenge: Build Your Own DSL!
Design your own mini Domain-Specific Language (DSL)! You can keep it simple.
- Start with a specific problem.
- Create your own syntax that feels natural to all.
- Try few examples and ask your friends to try.
- Try implementing a parser using your favourite GPL.