@article{4524,
  author = {Bruno M. Azevedo, Jose Joao Almeida},
  title = {A UNIX-Inspired Domain-Specific Language for Modular ABC Music Notation Processing},
  journal = {Journal of Electronic Systems},
  year = {2025},
  volume = {15},
  number = {3},
  doi = {https://doi.org/10.6025/jes/2025/15/3/140-160},
  url = {https://www.dline.info/jes/fulltext/v15n3/jesv15n3_2.pdf},
  abstract = {This paper introduces abc::dt, a domain-specific language (DSL) embedded in Perl, designed for creating
modular and composable tools to process music written in the abc notation. Leveraging the UNIX philosophy
of simple, text-stream-based tools, the authors reuse the parser from abcm2ps to handle real-world
abc files. The system comprises three stages: parsing input into an internal representation (IR), transforming
it using rule-based actuators, and generating output, which may serve as input for other tools. abc::dt
enables users to define specific transformations using concise rules, making tool creation more efficient.
Several tools built with abc::dt—like All-but-one, abc_paste, and abc_cat—demonstrate its capability
to manipulate polyphonic scores, concatenate tunes, or isolate voices for rehearsal. The sequential structure
used simplifies integration with scripting languages, while the DSL’s extensibility supports advanced
transformations. Overall, abc::dt aims to establish a flexible “abc operating system” to fill the gap in generalpurpose
abc music processing tools.},
}