View source for Transformation language

{{Data transformation}}
A '''transformation language''' is a [[computer language]] designed to transform some input text in a certain [[formal language]] into a modified output text that  meets some specific goal{{clarify|date=July 2016}}.

[[Program transformation systems]] such as [[Stratego/XT]], [[TXL (programming language)|TXL]], [[Tom (pattern matching language)|Tom]], [[DMS Software Reengineering Toolkit|DMS]], and [[ASF+SDF Meta Environment|ASF+SDF]] all have transformation languages as a major component. The transformation languages for these systems are driven by declarative descriptions of the structure of the input text (typically a grammar), allowing them to be applied to wide variety of formal languages and documents.

[[Macro (computer science)|Macro]] languages are a kind of transformation languages to transform a meta language into specific higher programming language like [[Java (programming language)|Java]], [[C++]], [[Fortran]] or into lower-level [[Assembly language]].

In the [[model-driven engineering]] technical space, there are [[model transformation language]]s (MTLs), that take as input models conforming to a given metamodel and produce as output models conforming to a different metamodel. An example of such a language is the [[QVT]] [[Object Management Group|OMG]] standard.

There are also low-level languages such as the Lx family<ref>[http://lx.mii.lu.lv/ The Lx transformation language set home page] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120710031939/http://lx.mii.lu.lv/ |date=2012-07-10 }}. Lx.mii.lu.lv (2007-10-08). Retrieved on 2013-08-10.</ref> implemented by the [[Bootstrapping (compilers)|bootstrapping method]]. The L0 language may be considered as assembler for transformation languages. There is also a high-level graphical language built on upon Lx called MOLA.<ref>[http://mola.mii.lu.lv/ MOLA pages]. Mola.mii.lu.lv. Retrieved on 2013-08-10.</ref>

There are a number of [[XML transformation language]]s. These include [[Tritium (programming language)|Tritium]], [[XSLT]], [[XQuery]], [[Streaming Transformations for XML|STX]], [[XML transformation language|FXT]], [[XDuce]], CDuce, [[HaXml]], [[XMLambda]], and FleXML.

==See also==
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Concepts:
* [[bidirectional transformation]]
* [[data conversion]]
* [[data element]]
* [[data mapping]]
* [[data migration]]
* [[data transformation]]
* [[metadata]]
* [[model transformation]]
* [[graph transformation]]
* [[Program refinement|refinement]] (contrast)
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Languages and typical transforms:
* [[ATLAS Transformation Language|ATL]]
* [[AWK]] (tabular data transforms)
* [[Identity transform]]
* [[QVT]]
* [[TXL (programming language)|TXL]] (general)
* [[XQuery]] (XML)
* [[XSLT]] (XML)
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==References==
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{{Computer language}}

[[Category:Transformation languages| ]]
[[Category:Programming language classification]]
[[Category:Metaprogramming]]


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