DNAL - Data Needs a Language

A compiler for data. DNAL is a JSON-like language that includes types and data validation rules.
The DNAL compiler validates and transforms your DNAL source into other data formats.

Latest version: 0.2.2 (requires Java 8+)

News

2017-10-04 - Release v0.2.2

• views have been added (inputview and outputview)
• syntax change. comma delimiter in struct members, rules, and views.

2017-05-14 - Release v0.2.1

• compile from stream,
• validation options,
• improved date format support,
• prototype of views feature

2017-03-14 - Release v0.2.0

• 'unique' keyword,
• reflection-based loader,
• many fixes

User's Guide

User's Guide describes the syntax and Java API.

Where to get

DNAL is available in maven-central.

Maven

Add the following fragment to your <dependencies> section:

  <dependency>
	<groupId>org.dnal-lang</groupId>
	<artifactId>dnal</artifactId>
	<packaging>jar</packaging>
	<version>0.2.2</version>
  </dependency>

Tell me more

DNAL is a language for data. It supports types, relations, and validation rules. Here is a sample:

	//define a type
	type Person struct {
	    firstName string,
	    lastName string,
	    birthDate date
	  }
	  !empty(firstName),
	  !empty(lastName)
	end

	//define some values
	let customer Person = { 'Gillian', 'Smith', '1965-12-31' }
	
	let people list<Person> = [
	  { 'Simone', 'Tremblay', '1965-12-31' },
	  { 'Jason', 'Ackerman', '1991-01-15' }
	]

The dnalc compiler converts DNAL into other formats. Use it to create JSON, XML, or to do code generation of bean or DTO classes. The compiler is extensible; add your own output generators.

The DNAL API is a Java API for loading and querying DNAL data.

Feature highlights

• all the normal scalar types (int, boolean, string, etc)
• lists and structs
• package and import
• type inheritance

Uses

• producing valid configuration files (JSON, XML, SQL, etc).
• used as configuration directly by a program
• used for validating data received by a program.
• code generation for creating bean and DTO classes.