I think it's better to call the users of such high-level DSLs, accidental programmers. It's not like they are not programmers, its just that they don't see software development as their vocation or profession. Yes, it's important to have languages that target them (e.g. Excel, Latex, SQL). Design of such DSLs is important and hard work. We need more professional activity making DSLs usable, consistent, and extensible.
I agree. I think what the author was trying to say with his article is that DSLs where end users can use the system with zero training are a hoax. You can't put SQL, LateX or even Excel in front of someone with no context or help and expect them to understand how to use it. But with a few days or weeks of training, a business user can go from being helpless to being able to query their organization's database and create fancy charts.
Much like most things in software, it's key to hit the correct level of abstraction.
Completely agree with your points, except the extensible bit.
I believe having a DSL with strict boundaries will make it easy for new users to grok than having to go through N pages of modules(/ libs / extensions) documentation and feeling overwhelmed.
Smaller DSLs that could be mix n matched depending on the problem at task might be a better fit.
Wait, I feel like I'm describing a std lib here...
