SPLASH 2023
Sun 22 - Fri 27 October 2023 Cascais, Portugal

The ACM SIGPLAN International Conference on Software Language Engineering (SLE) is devoted to the principles of software languages: their design, their implementation, and their evolution.

With the ubiquity of computers, software has become the dominating intellectual asset of our time. In turn, this software depends on software languages, namely the languages it is written in, the languages used to describe its environment, and the languages driving its development process. Given that everything depends on software and that software depends on software languages, it seems fair to say that for many years to come, everything will depend on software languages.

Software language engineering (SLE) is the discipline of engineering languages and their tools required for the creation of software. It abstracts from the differences between programming languages, modelling languages, and other software languages, and emphasizes the engineering facet of the creation of such languages, that is, the establishment of the scientific methods and practices that enable the best results. While SLE is certainly driven by its metacircular character (software languages are engineered using software languages), SLE is not self-satisfying: its scope extends to the engineering of languages for all and everything.

Like its predecessors, the 16th edition of the SLE conference, SLE 2023, will bring together researchers from different areas united by their common interest in the creation, capture, and tooling of software languages. It overlaps with traditional conferences on the design and implementation of programming languages, model-driven engineering, and compiler construction, and emphasizes the fusion of their communities. To foster the latter, SLE traditionally fills a two-day program with a single track, with the only temporal overlap occurring between co-located events.

SLE 2023 will be co-located with SPLASH 2023 and take place in Cascais, Lisbon, Portugal.

Dates
Plenary
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Mon 23 Oct

Displayed time zone: Lisbon change

09:00 - 10:30
Language implementationSLE at Room II
Chair(s): Thomas Degueule CNRS, LaBRI

This session will start at 08:50 with a welcome and general announcements from the Conference General Chair.

09:00
30m
Talk
Exceptions all Over the Shop: Modular, Customizable, Language-independent Exception Handling LayerResearch Paper
SLE
Walter Cazzola Università degli Studi di Milano, Luca Favalli Università degli Studi di Milano
DOI
09:30
30m
Talk
An Executable Semantics for Faster Development of Optimizing Python CompilersResearch Paper
SLE
Olivier Melancon Université de Montréal, Marc Feeley Université de Montréal, Manuel Serrano Inria; University of Côte d'Azur
DOI
10:00
30m
Talk
Adaptive Structural Operational SemanticsResearch Paper
SLE
Gwendal Jouneaux University of Rennes; Inria; IRISA, Damian Frölich University of Amsterdam, Olivier Barais University of Rennes; Inria; CNRS; IRISA, Benoit Combemale University of Rennes, Inria, CNRS, IRISA, Gurvan LE GUERNIC DGA MI & Université de Rennes 1, Gunter Mussbacher McGill University, L. Thomas van Binsbergen University of Amsterdam
DOI Pre-print
10:30 - 11:00
Coffee BreakCatering at Gallery
11:00 - 12:30
GPCE/SLE Keynote (in Room XV)SLE at Room II
Chair(s): Coen De Roover Vrije Universiteit Brussel

12:10pm The GPCE, SLE and COLA awards will be announced in the last part of this session in Room XV.

11:00
70m
Keynote
Coccinelle: Impact and Internals
SLE
12:10
20m
Awards
GPCE/SLE Awards
SLE
Amir Shaikhha University of Edinburgh, Coen De Roover Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Sebastian Erdweg JGU Mainz, João Saraiva HASLab/INESC TEC, University of Minho, Thomas Degueule CNRS, LaBRI, Elizabeth Scott Royal Holloway University of London, Friedrich Steimann Fernuniversität in Hagen, Walter Cazzola Università degli Studi di Milano
12:30 - 14:00
14:00 - 15:30
Grammars and parsingSLE at Room II
Chair(s): Luis Eduardo de Souza Amorim Australian National University, Australia
14:00
30m
Talk
A reference GLL implementationResearch Paper
SLE
Adrian Johnstone Royal Holloway University of London, UK
DOI
14:30
30m
Talk
Sharing Trees and Contextual Information: Re-imagining Forwarding in Attribute GrammarsResearch Paper
SLE
Lucas Kramer University of Minnesota, Eric Van Wyk Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, USA
DOI Pre-print
15:00
30m
Talk
Nanopass Attribute GrammarsResearch Paper
SLE
Nathan Ringo University of Minnesota, Lucas Kramer University of Minnesota, Eric Van Wyk Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Minnesota, USA
DOI Pre-print
15:30 - 16:00
Coffee BreakCatering at Gallery
16:00 - 17:30
Inference and automationSLE at Room II
Chair(s): Adrian Johnstone Royal Holloway University of London, UK
16:00
30m
Talk
Automated extraction of grammar optimization rule configurations in a metamodel-grammar co-evolution scenarioResearch Paper
SLE
Weixing Zhang Chalmers | University of Gothenburg, Regina Hebig Chalmers University of Technology & University of Gothenburg, Daniel Strüber Chalmers | University of Gothenburg / Radboud University, Jan-Philipp Steghöfer XITASO GmbH IT & Software Solutions
DOI Pre-print
16:30
30m
Talk
Reuse and Automated Integration of Recommenders for Modelling LanguagesResearch Paper
SLE
Lissette Almonte Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Antonio Garmendia Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Esther Guerra Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Juan de Lara Autonomous University of Madrid
DOI Pre-print
17:00
30m
Talk
GPT-3-Powered Type Error Debugging: Investigating the Use of Large Language Models for Code RepairResearch Paper
SLE
Francisco Ribeiro HASLab/INESC TEC & Universidade do Minho, José Nuno Macedo University of Minho, Kanae Tsushima National Institute of Informatics, Japan, Rui Abreu Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, João Saraiva HASLab/INESC TEC, University of Minho
DOI

Tue 24 Oct

Displayed time zone: Lisbon change

09:00 - 10:30
Live programming and debuggingSLE at Room II
Chair(s): Vadim Zaytsev University of Twente, Netherlands
09:00
30m
Talk
Temporal Breakpoints for Multiverse DebuggingResearch Paper
SLE
Matthias Pasquier Ertosgener, Ciprian Teodorov ENSTA Bretagne, Frédéric Jouault ERIS Team, ESEO , France, Matthias Brun , Luka Le Roux Lab-STICC CNRS UMR 6285, ENSTA Bretagne, Loïc Lagadec Lab-STICC CNRS UMR 6285, ENSTA Bretagne
DOI
09:30
30m
Talk
Cross-Level Debugging for Static AnalysersResearch Paper
SLE
Mats Van Molle Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Bram Vandenbogaerde Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Coen De Roover Vrije Universiteit Brussel
DOI Pre-print
10:00
30m
Talk
Cascade: a Meta-Language for Change, Cause and EffectResearch Paper
SLE
DOI
10:30 - 11:00
Coffee BreakCatering at Gallery
11:00 - 12:30
SLE KeynoteSLE at Room II
Chair(s): Elizabeth Scott Royal Holloway University of London
11:00
60m
Keynote
Artificial Languages are Dead. Long Live Artificial Languages!Keynote
SLE
Crista Lopes University of California, Irvine
12:00
20m
Talk
Seamless Code Generator Synchronization in the Composition of Heterogeneous Modeling LanguagesNew ideas / Vision paper
SLE
Nico Jansen Software Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Bernhard Rumpe RWTH Aachen University
DOI
12:30 - 14:00
14:00 - 15:30
ModelingSLE at Room II
Chair(s): Benoit Combemale University of Rennes, Inria, CNRS, IRISA
14:00
30m
Talk
Enabling Blended Modelling of Timing and Variability in EAST-ADLResearch Paper
SLE
Muhammad Waseem Anwar Department of Innovation, Design and Engineering Malardalen University, Federico Ciccozzi Mälardalen University, Alessio Bucaioni Mälardalen University
DOI
14:30
30m
Talk
Towards Efficient Model Comparison Using Automated Program RewritingResearch Paper
SLE
Qurat Ul Ain Ali University of York , Dimitris Kolovos University of York, Konstantinos Barmpis University of York
DOI
15:00
30m
Talk
Deriving Integrated Multi-Viewpoint Modeling Languages from Heterogeneous Modeling Languages: An Experience ReportResearch Paper
SLE
Malte Heithoff RWTH Aachen University, Nico Jansen Software Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Jörg Christian Kirchhof RWTH Aachen University, Judith Michael RWTH Aachen University, Florian Rademacher RWTH Aachen University, Bernhard Rumpe RWTH Aachen University
DOI Pre-print
15:30 - 16:00
Coffee BreakCatering at Gallery
16:00 - 17:30
Tools and DemonstrationsSLE at Room II
Chair(s): João Saraiva HASLab/INESC TEC, University of Minho

17:20 SLE closing, Friedrich Steimann

16:00
20m
Demonstration
A Low-Code Platform for Systematic Component-Oriented Language CompositionTool Paper
SLE
Jérôme Pfeiffer University of Stuttgart, Germany, Andreas Wortmann University of Stuttgart
DOI
16:20
20m
Demonstration
A Tool for the Definition and Deployment of Platform-Independent Bots on Open Source ProjectsTool Paper
SLE
Adem Ait-Fonolla IN3 - UOC, Javier Luis Cánovas Izquierdo IN3 - UOC, Jordi Cabot Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology
DOI Pre-print
16:40
20m
Demonstration
Online Name-Based Navigation for Software Meta-languagesTool Paper
SLE
Peter D. Mosses Swansea University and Delft University of Technology
Link to publication DOI
17:00
20m
Demonstration
Practical Runtime Instrumentation of Software Languages: the Case of SciHookTool Paper
SLE
Dorian Leroy CEA/DAM/DIF, France, Benoît Lelandais CEA/DAM/DIF, France, Marie-Pierre Oudot CEA/DAM/DIF, France, Benoit Combemale University of Rennes, Inria, CNRS, IRISA
DOI Pre-print
17:20
10m
Day closing
SLE Closing
SLE

Accepted Papers

Title
Adaptive Structural Operational SemanticsResearch Paper
SLE
DOI Pre-print
A Low-Code Platform for Systematic Component-Oriented Language CompositionTool Paper
SLE
DOI
An Executable Semantics for Faster Development of Optimizing Python CompilersResearch Paper
SLE
DOI
A reference GLL implementationResearch Paper
SLE
DOI
A Tool for the Definition and Deployment of Platform-Independent Bots on Open Source ProjectsTool Paper
SLE
DOI Pre-print
Automated extraction of grammar optimization rule configurations in a metamodel-grammar co-evolution scenarioResearch Paper
SLE
DOI Pre-print
Cascade: a Meta-Language for Change, Cause and EffectResearch Paper
SLE
DOI
Cross-Level Debugging for Static AnalysersResearch Paper
SLE
DOI Pre-print
Deriving Integrated Multi-Viewpoint Modeling Languages from Heterogeneous Modeling Languages: An Experience ReportResearch Paper
SLE
DOI Pre-print
Enabling Blended Modelling of Timing and Variability in EAST-ADLResearch Paper
SLE
DOI
Exceptions all Over the Shop: Modular, Customizable, Language-independent Exception Handling LayerResearch Paper
SLE
DOI
GPT-3-Powered Type Error Debugging: Investigating the Use of Large Language Models for Code RepairResearch Paper
SLE
DOI
Nanopass Attribute GrammarsResearch Paper
SLE
DOI Pre-print
Online Name-Based Navigation for Software Meta-languagesTool Paper
SLE
Link to publication DOI
Practical Runtime Instrumentation of Software Languages: the Case of SciHookTool Paper
SLE
DOI Pre-print
Reuse and Automated Integration of Recommenders for Modelling LanguagesResearch Paper
SLE
DOI Pre-print
Seamless Code Generator Synchronization in the Composition of Heterogeneous Modeling LanguagesNew ideas / Vision paper
SLE
DOI
Sharing Trees and Contextual Information: Re-imagining Forwarding in Attribute GrammarsResearch Paper
SLE
DOI Pre-print
Temporal Breakpoints for Multiverse DebuggingResearch Paper
SLE
DOI
Towards Efficient Model Comparison Using Automated Program RewritingResearch Paper
SLE
DOI

Call for Papers

Topics of Interest

SLE covers software language engineering rather than engineering a specific software language. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Software Language Design and Implementation
    • Approaches to and methods for language design
    • Static semantics (e.g., design rules, well-formedness constraints)
    • Techniques for specifying behavioral/executable semantics
    • Generative approaches (incl. code synthesis, compilation)
    • Meta-languages, meta-tools, language workbenches
  • Software Language Validation
    • Verification and formal methods for languages
    • Testing techniques for languages
    • Simulation techniques for languages
  • Software Language Integration and Composition
    • Coordination of heterogeneous languages and tools
    • Mappings between languages (incl. transformation languages)
    • Traceability between languages
    • Deployment of languages to different platforms
  • Software Language Maintenance
    • Software language reuse
    • Language evolution
    • Language families and variability, language and software product lines
  • Domain-specific approaches for any aspects of SLE (design, implementation, validation, maintenance)
  • Empirical evaluation and experience reports of language engineering tools
    • User studies evaluating usability
    • Performance benchmarks
    • Industrial applications
  • Synergies between Language Engineering and emerging/promising research areas
    • AI and ML language engineering (e.g., ML compiler testing, code classification) Quantum language engineering (e.g., language design for quantum machines)
    • Language engineering for physical systems (e.g., CPS, IoT, digital twins)
    • Socio-technical systems and language engineering (e.g., language evolution to adapt to social requirements)
    • Etc.

Types of Submissions

SLE accepts the following types of papers:

  • Research papers: These are “traditional” papers detailing research contributions to SLE. Papers may range from 6 to 12 pages in length and may optionally include 2 further pages of bibliography/appendices. Papers will be reviewed with an understanding that some results do not need 12 full pages and may be fully described in fewer pages.

  • New ideas/vision papers: These papers may describe new, unconventional software language engineering research positions or approaches that depart from standard practice. They can describe well-defined research ideas that are at an early stage of investigation. They could also provide new evidence to challenge common wisdom, present new unifying theories about existing SLE research that provides novel insight or that can lead to the development of new technologies or approaches, or apply SLE technology to radically new application areas. New ideas/vision papers must not exceed 5 pages and may optionally include 1 further page of bibliography/appendices.

  • SLE Body of Knowledge: The SLE Body of Knowledge (SLEBoK) is a community-wide effort to provide a unique and comprehensive description of the concepts, best practices, tools, and methods developed by the SLE community. In this respect, the SLE conference will accept surveys, essays, open challenges, empirical observations, and case study papers on the SLE topics. These can focus on, but are not limited to, methods, techniques, best practices, and teaching approaches. Papers in this category can have up to 20 pages, including bibliography/appendices.

  • Tool papers: These papers focus on the tooling aspects often forgotten or neglected in research papers. A good tool paper focuses on practical insights that will likely be useful to other implementers or users in the future. Any of the SLE topics of interest are appropriate areas for tool demonstrations. Submissions must not exceed 5 pages and may optionally include 1 further page of bibliography/appendices. They may optionally include an appendix with a demo outline/screenshots and/or a short video/screencast illustrating the tool.

Workshops: Workshops will be organized by SPLASH. Please inform us and contact the SPLASH organizers if you would like to organize a workshop of interest to the SLE audience. Information on how to submit workshops can be found on the SPLASH 2023 Website.

Submission

Two submission rounds

For the second time, SLE will follow a two-phase submission and review process. This gives authors submitting to the first round an extra opportunity to improve their work (if needed) based on the comments and feedback from the reviewers. Furthermore, this will increase the quality of accepted papers.

Manuscripts can be submitted to any of the two submission rounds.

Decisions on the papers submitted to the first round will be: accept, reject, or re-submit revised version. While rejected papers must not, revised versions may be submitted to the second round, with an accompanying response letter to the reviewers stating the changes made and how the authors addressed the reviewers’ criticisms. The same reviewers will review the re-submissions.

Decisions on fresh papers submitted to the second round will be: accept or reject. The authors of borderline papers will have the chance to respond to the reviewers before the final decision is made.

Format

Submissions have to use the ACM SIGPLAN Conference Format “acmart”; please make sure that you always use the latest ACM SIGPLAN acmart LaTeX template, and that the document class definition is \documentclass[sigplan,anonymous,review]{acmart}. Do not make any changes to this format!

Ensure that your submission is legible when printed on a black and white printer. In particular, please check that colors remain distinct and font sizes in figures and tables are legible.

To increase fairness in reviewing, a double-blind review process has become standard across SIGPLAN conferences. In this line, SLE will follow the double-blind process. Author names and institutions should be omitted from submitted papers, and references to the authors’ own related work should be in the third person. No other changes are necessary, and authors will not be penalized if reviewers are able to infer their identities in implicit ways.

All submissions must be in PDF format. The submission website is: https://sle23.hotcrp.com

Concurrent Submissions

Papers must describe unpublished work that is not currently submitted for publication elsewhere as described by SIGPLAN’s Republication Policy. Submitters should also be aware of ACM’s Policy and Procedures on Plagiarism. Submissions that violate these policies will be desk-rejected.

Policy on Human Participant and Subject Research

Authors conducting research involving human participants and subjects must ensure that their research comply with their local governing laws and regulations and the ACM’s general principles as stated in the ACM’s Publications Policy on Research Involving Human Participants and Subjects. Submissions that violate this policy will be rejected.

Reviewing Process

All submitted papers will be reviewed by at least three members of the program committee. Research papers and tool papers will be evaluated concerning novelty, correctness, significance, readability, and alignment with the conference call. New ideas/vision papers will be evaluated primarily concerning novelty, significance, readability, and alignment with the conference call. SLEBoK papers will be reviewed on their significance, readability, topicality and capacity of presenting/evaluating/demonstrating a piece of BoK about SLE.

For fairness reasons, all submitted papers must conform to the above instructions. Submissions that violate these instructions may be rejected without review at the discretion of the PC chairs.

Awards

  • Distinguished paper: Award for the most notable paper, as determined by the PC chairs based on the recommendations of the program committee.

Publication

All accepted papers will be published in the ACM Digital Library.

AUTHORS TAKE NOTE: The official publication date is the date the proceedings are made available in the ACM Digital Library. This date may be up to two weeks prior to the first day of the conference. The official publication date affects the deadline for any patent filings related to published work.

SLE and Doctoral Students

SLE encourages students to submit to the SPLASH doctoral symposium. Authors of accepted papers will also have the chance to present their work to the SLE audience.

Contact

For additional information, clarification, or answers, please get in touch with the program co-chairs (E.Scott at rhul.ac.uk and thomas.degueule at labri.fr).

Questions? Use the SLE contact form.