We present an approach to software framework development that includes the generation of domain-specific languages (DSLs) and pattern languages as goals for the process. Our model is made of three workflows-framework, metamodel, and patterns-and three phases-inception, construction, and formalization. The main conclusion is that when developing a framework, we can produce with minimal overhead-almost as a side effect-a metamodel with an associated DSL and a pattern language. Both outputs will not only help the framework evolve in the right direction, but will also be valuable in themselves. In order to illustrate these ideas, we present a case study in the multimedia domain. For several years, we have been developing a multimedia framework. The process has produced a full-fledged domain-specific metamodel for the multimedia domain, with an associated DSL and a pattern language.

CLAM is a C++framework that offers a complete development and research platform for the audio and music domain. Apart from offering an abstract model for audio systems, it also includes a repository of processing algorithms and data types as well as a number of tools such as audio or MIDI input/output. All these features can be exploited to build cross-platform applications or to build rapid prototypes to test signal and media processing algorithms and systems. The framework also includes a number of stand-alone applications that can be used for tasks such as audio analysis/synthesis, plug-in development or metadata annotation.In this article we give a brief overview of CLAM's features and applications.