Guide to domain specific language graphical editor prototyping

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is a methodology that supports the use ofmodels to better analyze and understand complex systems and create quality and cost-efficient products. The analysis is facilitated by platforms that support formal graphicalmodeling and provide complementary modules for testing, validation, code or documen-tation generation. Thus in specialized fields, researchers create domain-specific languages(DSLs) for their niche purposes. In systems engineering, these DSLs can be created throughthe extension of the standard modeling language SysML. However, these DSLs do not pos-sess modelers unless they are renowned. Therefore, they cannot benefit from advances inthe MBSE tools. Our study aims to provide a graphical editor prototype for all DSLsto allow access to the MBSE tools. Using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) methodwe establish that Eclipse Papyrus is the best plugin to use due to its extensibility, therichness of the Eclipse modeling platform and ease of use. Next, we provide a step-by-step guide to incorporate any profile in SysML Papyrus as an extension allowing to modelany DSL. This guide is illustrated by an example taken from the domain of urban planning.