Usa-DSL: a Process for Usability Evaluation of Domain-Specific Languages

Autor: Ildevana Poltronieri, Avelino Francisco Zorzo, Maicon Bernardino, Edson OliveiraJr
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Journal of Universal Computer Science, Vol 30, Iss 8, Pp 1023-1047 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 0948-6968
DOI: 10.3897/jucs.103264
Popis: Software architects and developers often use Domain-Specific Languages (DSLs) to model or code applications. However, designing a DSL that effectively represents its domain can be a challenge, potentially contributing to poor uptake and usage. To the best of our knowledge, one issue is that DSL designers may evaluate their language’s usability using ad hoc processes, due to a lack of expertise in usability evaluation. Additionally, current approaches lack well-defined processes and may not yield the desired results for DSL designers. Therefore, DSL designers require a well-defined usability evaluation process to assess how architects, developers, and end users perceive their DSL. This paper introduces Usa-DSL, a Usability Evaluation Process for Domain-Specific Languages. Usa-DSL aims to assist DSL designers in evaluating their languages in terms of ease and quality of use, without requiring deep knowledge of usability evaluation. We analyze the feasibility of Usa-DSL and show that it is a useful and user-friendly tool for evaluating DSLs.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals