Abstract:
By paying more attention to semantics-based tool generation, programming language semantics can signicantly increase its impact. Ultimately, this may lead to \Language Design Assistants" incorporating substantial amounts of semantic knowledge. 1 The Role of Programming Language Semantics Programming language semantics has lost touch with large groups of potential users [39]. Among the reasons for this unfortunate state of aairs, one stands out. Semantic results are rarely incorporated in practical systems that would help language designers to implement and test a language under development, or assist programmers in answering their questions about the meaning of some language feature not properly documented in the language's reference manual. Nevertheless, such systems are potentially more eective in bringing semantics-based formalisms and techniques to the places they are needed than their dissemination in publications, courses, or even exemplary (but little-used) programming languages. The current situation in which semantics, languages, and tools are drifting steadily further apart is shown in Figure 1. The tool-oriented approach to semantics aims at making semantics denitions more useful and productive by generating as many language-based tools from them as possible. This will,
Citations
|
343
|
Evolving algebras 1993: Lipari guide
– Gurevich
- 1995
|
|
261
|
Natural semantics
– Kahn
- 1987
|
|
200
|
A tutorial on (co)algebras and (co)induction
– Jacobs, Rutten
- 1997
|
|
89
|
Verification of Sequential and Concurrent Programs
– Krzysztof, Olderog
- 1991
|
|
65
|
Attribute Grammars: Definition, Systems and Bibliography
– Deransart, Jourdan, et al.
- 1988
|
|
55
|
The PSG system: From formal language definitions to interactive programming environments
– Bahlke, Snelting
- 1986
|
|
45
|
Little Language, Little Maintenance
– Duersen, Klint
- 1997
|
|
35
|
A Tool Box for Compiler Construction
– Grosch, Emmelmann
- 1990
|
|
34
|
Formal aspects of and development environments for Montages
– Anlauff, Kutter, et al.
- 1997
|
|
33
|
Centaur: the system
– Despeyroux, Kahn, et al.
- 1988
|
|
30
|
Actress: an action semantics directed compiler generator
– Brown, Moura, et al.
- 1992
|
|
20
|
Toward a complete transformational toolkit for compilers
– Bergstra, Dinesh, et al.
- 1997
|
|
19
|
Executable Language Definitions: Case Studies and Origin Tracking Techniques
– Deursen
- 1994
|
|
12
|
Veri of Sequential and Concurrent Programs
– Apt, Olderog
- 1997
|
|
9
|
Program algebra for component code
– Bergstra, Loots
- 1998
|
|
8
|
A Generator for Incremental Programming Environments
– Brand
- 1992
|
|
8
|
The PSG System: From Formal Language De to Interactive Programming Environments
– Bahlke, Snelting
- 1986
|
|
5
|
Research issues in software renovation
– Deursen, Klint, et al.
- 1999
|
|
5
|
Attribute Grammars: De Systems and Bibliography
– Deransart, Jourdan, et al.
- 1988
|
|
4
|
Equations as a uniform framework for partial evaluation and abstract interpretation
– Field, Heering, et al.
- 1998
|
|
3
|
Executable language de Case studies and origin tracking techniques
– Deursen
- 1994
|
|
2
|
The CoSy compilation system
– bv
- 1999
|
|
2
|
SEMANOL(73)---A metalanguage for programming the semantics of programming languages
– Anderson, Belz, et al.
- 1976
|
|
2
|
The Language Development Laboratory
– Harm, Lammel, et al.
- 1997
|
|
1
|
OCS: An object-oriented compiler construction toolkit
– Justice, Budd
- 1993
|
