Using Extensible Grammars for Data Modelling

We present a systematic approach to the rapid implementation of high-level data models and query languages in the polymorphic higher-order programming language TL. The static semantics of data model constructs are captured by a mapping to polymorphic types and associated data constructor and selector functions. The dynamic semantics of query languages are realised by a mapping to bulk data types and iteration abstractions. Contrary to conventional approaches, these two mappings are specified by user-defined grammar extensions of the target language TL based on user-defined library code and not by separate tools in the programming environment. We give examples of this syntax-directed approach to data modelling and discuss its ad450 tages and limitations.