DSL
Abbreviation with 2 meanings
| Stands for | Digital subscriber line |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 2 |
| Categories | Technology & Computing |
DSL has two meanings. It stands for Digital subscriber line (telecom) or Domain-specific language (programming).
Meanings of DSL at a glance
| # | DSL stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Digital subscriber line | Technology & Computing › Telecom |
| 2 | Domain-specific language | Technology & Computing › Programming |
1. Digital subscriber line
Technology & Computing · Telecom Abbreviations
Family of technologies that deliver internet access over ordinary copper telephone lines, sharing the line with voice calls by using higher frequencies. Speeds fall sharply with distance from the telephone exchange or street cabinet.
Example: We're too far from the exchange for fast DSL, so we're looking at fixed wireless instead.
Variants include ADSL, ADSL2+, VDSL2 and G.fast. Phones on a DSL line need small filters to block interference. DSL was the dominant home broadband technology in many countries in the 2000s, but operators are now replacing copper with fiber; AT&T stopped selling new DSL connections in 2020. In programming, DSL means domain-specific language.
2. Domain-specific language
Technology & Computing · Programming Abbreviations
A small language designed for one kind of task rather than general programming, such as SQL for queries, CSS for styling, regular expressions for text matching or HCL for Terraform configuration.
Example: Our build tool exposes a Kotlin DSL, so pipeline definitions read almost like plain English.
DSLs are either external, with their own syntax and parser, or internal, built from the features of a host language such as Ruby or Kotlin. Martin Fowler's 2010 book "Domain-Specific Languages" popularized the vocabulary. In telecom DSL means digital subscriber line, a broadband technology.
Related abbreviations
More telecom abbreviations
- CPE – Customer premises equipment
- DAB – Digital Audio Broadcasting
- DECT – Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications
- DOCSIS – Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification
- DTMF – Dual-tone multi-frequency
- E911 – Enhanced 911
- EDGE – Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution
- EE – EE Limited
See all 114 telecom abbreviations →