Hello,
I do research in developing domain-specific modeling languages. Although after intensive research it was not possible to find a precise definition for the term “domain-specific”
In the literature “domain-specific” is defined as:
“Concepts specific to a particular engineering domain are domain specific”
“Concepts that are not general are domain-specific constrains”
I came up with the hypothesis that domain-specific concepts consist of more entities than general concepts. For visualisation I grouped the concepts in the three layers ITEM, MODUL and SYSTEM shown below:
· ITEM: Single entities generic concepts e.g. resistor, capacitor,
· MODUL: Groups of entities, modules specific group of entities to fulfil a goal e.g. engine
· SYSTEM: Large group of entities, product, specific group of entities to fulfil a task, e.g. car (transportation)
Therefore, I assume following:
ITEM: subset of this entities is used in the specific-domain without adaption, 1:1 representation in the specific-domain
MODUL: subset of this are used in the specific-domain without adaption, 1:1 representation in the domain, new modules are developed in the domain
SYSTEM: not directly used, no 1:1 representation, new system developed combining MODULs
Definition
· Increase in complexity* means increase in domain-specificity
· Increase in domain-specificity means closer to the requested user function
· Closer to the user functions means decrease in standardization (individual solutions/products)
*Complexity defines the number of entities combined
Hi Martin,
in computer science domain-specific means that you are using the terminology of another domain for system descriptions. For example, the MARS Group (www.mars-group.org) is developing a DSL for describing agent-based models in ecology and other domains. Since most of the users are not from computer science this language needs to avoid technical issues, e.g. the allocation of memory or other topics typically covered in programming languages.
Hope that helps, Thomas
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