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Implementation Errors in DSL(C# Project)

Hi,

Having a query related to implementing the developed DSL as prescribed in the Walkthroughs .

I m using my DSL , by adding new project item in Exp. edition(using C# Project).

i also drawn some useful info for webpages. How can now i use that DSL. will it is a code generator , if so how to generate the code..

i m providing TextTemplatingGenerator in the properties and run custom tool, it is showing me some error..

since , i m just proceeding as per in the walkthroughs , i couldn able to resolve this..

kindly help me in this..

thanks in advance.

k_Prasad

Hi,

You can use the Texttemplates (T4 templates) to generate artifacts out of your diagram you created with your DSL. This artifacts can, for example, be HTML files or C# code. So this is the way to use your DSL as a "code generator".

You can see a little example of a T4 template in your project in the experimental environment . There should be a file that is called "<yourLanguage>Report.ReportTemplate".

Some more information on the T4 syntax can be found on the blog of Gareth (http://blogs.msdn.com/garethj/archive/2005/06/01/T4Syntax.aspx).

I am not sure what the error is that you get. If you get the error on the "<yourLanguage>Report.ReportTemplate" you might have a look at the file name that is in the template. Make sure this file name is the same as the diagram you created as part of the project in your experimental environment.

If this is nit the case, maybey you can provide the actual errormessage you get so somebody on this forum can help you a litte further.

Hope this helps!

Edward

Edward Bakker

Thanks.. But thts not my case.

Let me xplain Clearly..

Firstly, i run the wizard and did some changes for look and feel as explained in walkthrough (UIPChart).

then , i choose "Start without debugging " and get the Exp. edition. In that, i used the tools provided , to draw some thing like two pages and just created a interrelation between them. then i use transform all templates and i viewed the report templates in the object browser.. it is working fine..

My Question is:

Now, I open Exp. edition and starts a new C# Project. Then i choose add new item and selct my UIPChart.Fabuipc. that is included in my project..

now i open that file and draw something, using the tools in the tool box(such as 'B' and BReferencesB)

i donno , how to proceed then.. I m going in the right way..
is it an Internal DSL ( or) i have to write interpreter to convert this one to source to enbedd in my C# Project..

i think this is very novice.. Please do help me regarding this.

k_Prasad

I think I understand your issue a little better now.

I suggest you to just use the "start without debugging" option. Within that environment (project) you can select the "add new item" and create a new file based on your UIPChart template. You can draw whatever you want in that diagram.

After that you have to write your own templates by using the T4 syntax. These templates you write for yourself are the ones that generate the C# code based on the diagram. So you have to define what you want to generate from your DSL and write the appropiate templates for that. The C# code that is generated by the templates can be used in any other project. You can even generate a whole new VS.NET solution if you like.

After you are satisfied with your templates (and the output) you can start thinking about how you want to make this whole DSL available to your end users. In one of the next releases of the DSL Toolkit some new features are added for creating nice MSI packages for your DSL.

So, I think the first thing you have to do is use the exp. environment (start without debugging" to experiment with some templates.

Hope this helps

Edward

Edward Bakker

thanks.. will proceed in that way.

k_Prasad

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