Tree-based directed graph programming structures for a declarative programming language

Embodiments of tree-based directed graph programming structures for a declarative programming language are provided. In various embodiments, complex graph structured data, referred to as DGraphs herein in one non-limiting implementation, is authored using a compact, human friendly syntax without the use of explicit identifiers. In one non-limiting aspect, the syntax includes support for conformance relationships, also referred to as factored relationships. In another non-limiting aspect, the semistructured graph data is a tree-based representation and the syntax includes lexical resolution of references or lexical scoping, and/or non local initialization.