What's New in Visualization and Modeling SDK

Domain-Specific Language Tools has added some new features in Visual Studio 2010 which will make it easier to construct integrated tools that include one or more Domain Specific Language.

New Features in DSL Tools for Visual Studio 2010

The following features are new in Visual Studio 2010:

Feature	For more information
ModelBus   Different models can now be integrated with each other, with UML designers, and with other tools.	Integrating Models by using Visual Studio Modelbus.
VSIX Deployment   Deployment of a DSL is considerably simplified using Visual Studio Extensions (VSIX). Visual Studio helps you to create these packages.	Deploying Domain-Specific Language Solutions.
Forms user interface   DSLs can be used as the target for data bindings in Windows Forms and Windows Presentation Foundation. This allows you, for example, to create designers similar to ResX or Settings designers.	Creating a Windows Forms-Based Domain-Specific Language
Read-only models   You can create a model that is completely or partially read-only. It can be used, for example, by reviewing and commenting tools.	Defining a Locking Policy to Create Read-Only Segments
DSL Libraries   A DslLibrary can contain a partial model that can be imported by DSL definitions.	Sharing Classes between DSLs by using a DSL Library
DSL Extension. A DSL can be extended by another party after it has been deployed.	Adding Extensions to DSL Definitions
DSL Designer Extension   The DSL designer can be extended with new rules, commands, gestures and validation.	How to: Extend the Domain-Specific Language Designer
UI:Moveable connector labels.	Set IsMoveable on the decorator properties.
UI: Sticky toolbox   The user can double-click on a tool to create multiple instances.	Set IsSticky on the tool properties.
UI: Keyboard navigation of compartments for quick editing.
UI: Copy model elements from one diagram to another.	Customizing and Extending a Domain-Specific Language
UI: Copy model elements as images

Other changes for Visual Studio 2010

• Separation of DSLs into Partitions. The elements and relationships of a model are now stored in a separate Partition from the shapes and connectors.

• Deployment of Icons and XSDs. The Visual Studio Extension (VSIX) mechanism makes deploying a DSL considerably easier than it was in previous versions. However, VSIX works only on Visual Studio. It does not make changes to other parts of the registry, for example to register an icon for your DSL file extension with Windows Explorer. Also, it cannot deploy the XSD associated with your DSL. To deploy these items, you need to create an application installer. For more information, see the section Deploying on an MSI in Deploying Domain-Specific Language Solutions.