In computer science, the term automatic programming^[1] identifies a type of computer programming in which some mechanism generates a computer program rather than have human programmers write the code.

There has been little agreement on the precise definition of automatic programming, mostly because its meaning has changed over time. David Parnas, tracing the history of "automatic programming" in published research, noted that in the 1940s it described automation of the manual process of punching paper tape. Later it referred to translation of high-level programming languages like Fortran and ALGOL. In fact, one of the earliest programs identifiable as a compiler was called Autocode. Parnas concluded that "automatic programming has always been an euphemism for programming in a higher-level language than was then available to the programmer."^[2]

Generative programming

Generative programming is a style of computer programming that uses automated source code creation through generic classes, prototypes, templates, aspects, and code generators to improve programmer productivity. It is often related to code-reuse topics such as component-oriented programming.

Source code generation

Source code generation is the act of generating source code basing on an ontological model such as a template and is accomplished with a programming tool such as a template processor or an IDE. These tools allow the generation of source code through any of various means. The simplest form of source code generator is a macro processor, such as the C preprocessor, which replaces patterns in source code according to relatively simple rules.

Implementations

IDEs such as Microsoft Visual Studio have more advanced forms of source code generation, with which the programmer can interactively select and customize "snippets" of source code. Program "wizards", which allow the programmer to design graphical user interfaces interactively while the compiler invisibly generates the corresponding source code, are another common form of source code generation.

Examples:

• NConstruct is a Windows and Web rapid enterprise application development tool and environment for .NET Framework environment. It generates .NET C# source code for all tiers of the application through simple wizard procedures.

• MyGeneration is a template-based code generator for the Microsoft .NET Framework.

• Ebenezer Enterprises provides an on line service that writes efficient C++ marshalling code.

• LatticeFramework Studio is a model-driven and template-based rapid enterprise application development tool for .NET Framework environment. It generates C#, VB.NET, Java, Php, diagrams and documentations through simple wizard procedures.

See also

• Code generation (compiler)
• Template processor
• Source-to-source compiler
• Aspect-oriented programming
• Model Driven Engineering (MDE)
• Model-driven architecture (MDA)
• Domain-Specific Modeling (DSM)
• Modeling language
• Data transformation
• Transformation language (TL)
• XML transformation language (XTL)
• Model Transformation Language (MTL)
• Semantic translation
• Vocabulary-based transformation
• Data mapping
• Metadata
• Metaprogramming

• Modeling perspectives
• MOF Queries/Views/Transformations (QVT)
• Meta-Object Facility (MOF)
• Language-oriented programming (LOP)
  • Domain Specific Language (DSL)
• Generative programming (GP)
• Generative Modelling Language (GML)
• Intentional Programming (IP)
• Software factory
• Metamodel
• Metamodeling
• Metamodeling technique
• XML Metadata Interchange (XMI)
• Object-oriented analysis and design (OOAD)
• Unified Modeling Language (UML)
• Software engine

References

• Generative Programming: Methods, Tools, and Applications by Krzysztof Czarnecki and Ulrich W. Eisenecker, Addison Wesley, 2000.

External links

• Code Generation Network
• ''Generative Programming'' book site: www.generative-programming.org
• ''Code Generation In Action'' book site: http://www.codegeneration.net/cgia/
• GPCE (Generative Programming and Component Engineering) conference

• Generative Programming Wiki

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