How Can a DSL for Expert End-Users Be Designed for Better Usability? A Case Study in Computer Music

摘要

Programming languages have been rarely discussed from the perspective of user-centered design when compared to GUIs or Human Interface Devices. We describe our case study in user-centered design of a domain-specific language (DSL) for computer music. Since the potential usability problems of a DSL is largely unforeseeable in the early phase of the design, we took an approach that begins with the analysis of the usability problems in an existing DSL and then use the analysis for redesign of the DSL and design of a new DSL. The frameworks provided by the previous HCI studies are introduced into the design process. Such an approach is also valuable for claim-evidence correspondences for usability claims, which have been lacking in language design today.