Xtext - Language Development Framework

With Xtext you can easily create your own programming languages and domain-specific languages (DSLs). The framework supports the development of language infrastructures including compilers and interpreters as well as full blown Eclipse-based IDE integration. While Xtext equips you with a set of sensible defaults, you can tweak every single aspect of your language with Xtext's powerful APIs. A comprehensive documentation as well as the vivid community will help you getting started in no time. And if that is not enough you can buy trainings, consulting or support contracts delivered directly by the committers.

Some Highlights of Xtext

Syntax Highlighting

Out of the box, the editor supports syntax coloring based on the lexical structure and the semantic data of your files. Users are free to customize the highlighting and configure their favorite styles.

Code Completion

An Xtext editor proposes valid code completions at any place in the document, helping your users with the syntactical details of your language.

Validation and Quick Fixes

Xtext has outstanding support for static analysis and validation of your models. It has never been so easy to define constraints to tackle errors and warnings in your code instantaneously. With custom Quick Fixes you can correct these with a single keystroke.

More Editor Features

You'll find all the editor features that you got used to in your favorite IDE in the editor for your very own language. There is bracket matching and auto-edit, an outline that shows the semantic structure of your model, code formatting to properly indent the documents and much more.

Advanced Workbench Integration

Xtext's advanced Eclipse integration goes far beyond the editor. You will not feel any difference between your language and Java.

Integration with EMF

Xtext tightly integrates with EMF: You can combine it with a plethora of other EMF-based tools, e.g. for mixed graphical and textual modeling.

Professional Open Source

The Xtext project is developed professionally, that is the core developers work full-time on it. Besides the comprehensive documentation, Xtext ships with several easy-to-consume examples demonstrating various aspects and customization points of the framework. Whenever you have a question, you'll get an answer in the forum which is driven by the ever growing community around Xtext. Furthermore, we offer professional support, build prototypes, review your language or will assist you with the implementation.

Commit stats


657 commits this month (and counting)
5087 commits last month

Headlines in the web (feed)

  • (about 4 days ago by Sebastian Zarnekow)
    There are rumors that Xtext does only have rudimentary support for language libraries or language reuse and does not allow to create 'advanced stuff'. And it is actually true, that Xtext has only first class support for extending only one other language. But with some creativity and customizing, it is
  • (about a week ago by Sven Efftinge)
    I have the pleasure to present Xtext in two of the most beautiful european cities within the next two weeks. Belgian Eclipse Community Meeting (Antwerp)I'll be in Antwerp next Tuesday and meet up with Belgian's Eclipse Community.The event is free of charge and the details can be found here. There's
  • (about a week ago by Sven Efftinge)
    Parsing simple XML-like, structural languages with Xtext is a no-brainer. However, parsing nested expressions is often considered a bit more complicated. This is because they are more complicated due to their recursive nature and also because with Xtext you have to avoid left recursive parser rules.

Comments on twitter (feed)

You should follow us on twitter!