From missions to systems : generating transparently distributable programs for sensor-oriented systems

Early Wireless Sensor Networks aimed simply to collect as much data as possible for as long as possible. While this remains true in selected cases, the majority of future sensor network applications will demand much more intelligent use of their resources as networks increase in scale and support multiple applications and users. Specifically, we argue that a computational model is needed in which the ways that data flows through networks, and the ways in which decisions are made based on that data, is transparently distributable and relocatable as requirements evolve. In this paper we present an approach to achieving this using high-level mission specifications from which we can automatically derive transparently distributable programs.Postprin

Proceedings of the 3rd Workshop on Domain-Specific Language Design and Implementation (DSLDI 2015)

The goal of the DSLDI workshop is to bring together researchers and practitioners interested in sharing ideas on how DSLs should be designed, implemented, supported by tools, and applied in realistic application contexts. We are both interested in discovering how already known domains such as graph processing or machine learning can be best supported by DSLs, but also in exploring new domains that could be targeted by DSLs. More generally, we are interested in building a community that can drive forward the development of modern DSLs. These informal post-proceedings contain the submitted talk abstracts to the 3rd DSLDI workshop (DSLDI'15), and a summary of the panel discussion on Language Composition

A distributed programming environment for Ada

Despite considerable commercial exploitation of fault tolerance systems, significant and difficult research problems remain in such areas as fault detection and correction. A research project is described which constructs a distributed computing test bed for loosely coupled computers. The project is constructing a tool kit to support research into distributed control algorithms, including a distributed Ada compiler, distributed debugger, test harnesses, and environment monitors. The Ada compiler is being written in Ada and will implement distributed computing at the subsystem level. The design goal is to provide a variety of control mechanics for distributed programming while retaining total transparency at the code level

JMatch: Java plus Pattern Matching

The JMatch language extends Java with \emph{iterable abstract pattern matching}, pattern matching that is compatible with the data abstraction features of Java and makes iteration abstractions convenient. JMatch has ML-style deep pattern matching, but patterns can be abstract; they are not tied to algebraic data constructors. A single JMatch method may be used in several modes; modes may share a single implementation as a boolean formula. Modal abstraction simplifies specification and implementation of abstract data types. This paper describes the JMatch language and its implementation. (updated April 20, 2005)

Visual object-oriented development of parallel applications

PhD ThesisDeveloping software for parallel architectures is a notoriously difficult task, compounded further by the range of available parallel architectures. There has been little research effort invested in how to engineer parallel applications for more general problem domains than the traditional numerically intensive domain. This thesis addresses these issues. An object-oriented paradigm for the development of general-purpose parallel applications, with full lifecycle support, is proposed and investigated, and a visual programming language to support that paradigm is developed. This thesis presents experiences and results from experiments with this new model for parallel application development.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

An Estelle compiler

The increasing development and use of computer networks has necessitated international standards to be defined. Central to the standardization efforts is the concept of a Formal Description Technique (FDT) which is used to provide a definition medium for communication protocols and services. This document describes the design and implementation of one of the few existing compilers for the one such FDT, the language "Estelle" ([ISO85], [ISO86], [ISO87])

Domain-specific languages

Domain-Specific Languages are used in software engineering in order to enhance quality, flexibility, and timely delivery of software systems, by taking advantage of specific properties of a particular application domain. This survey covers terminology, risks and benefits, examples, design methodologies, and implementation techniques of domain-specific languages as used for the construction and maintenance of software systems. Moreover, it covers an annotated selection of 75 key publications in the area of domain-specific languages