How often do you use code generators in your software projects?

Question

I'm asking this as it seems like a really common pattern in projects that I worked on.It usually goes like this: system architecture gets complex and elaborate enough that new features/modules require developers to manually copy and paste 5-10 files from the similar feature as a starting point. Most of that code is not even related to task you're trying to solve, just a general boilerplate to fit into existing architecture.So a custom code generator gets written to ease those efforts.To me it seems like inevitably every bigger project comes to this phase and we end up writing a generator for it. In fact, I'm working on one right now.Wondering what are the other people's experiences with this.

ffwacom · Accepted Answer

Yes, it&rsquo;s the only way to manage complexity. Been using Clojure and CL, basically everything is done with embedded macro DSL&rsquo;s.

pfdietz · Answer

I use Common Lisp, and macros there are code generators. So, every day?Your experience seems to be an example of Greenspunning.

How often do you use code generators in your software projects?

Yes, it’s the only way to manage complexity. Been using Clojure and CL, basically everything is done with embedded macro DSL’s.

I use Common Lisp, and macros there are code generators. So, every day?
Your experience seems to be an example of Greenspunning.