A FORMAL SEMANTICS FOR COMPUTER-ORIENTED LANGUAGES

Abstract

This dissertation presents a number of results attained in a study of the formalization of certain properties of computer-oriented languages. The presentation of the results in the thesis is based on the structure of this program, called the compiler-compiler. Although there are several sections devoted to theoretical questions, these are set off from the main development. A more detailed introduction to the paper is given and some of the philosophical questions raised by formalizing semantics are considered. A formal syntax language used in the compiler-compiler is discussed; relationships are established between this formalization of syntax and others appearing in the literature. A complete discussion of the Formal Semantic Language is given further. The two formal systems were combined to form the basis for a useful computer technique. The final chapter contains a discussion of the strengths and weaknesses of our system as well as several suggestions for future research. The appendices include a record of the development of a translator for one small language from a formal definition of the language to examples of resultant machine code.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1964
Accession Number
AD0462935

Entities

People

  • Jerome A. Feldman

Organizations

  • Carnegie Institute of Technology

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Algorithms
  • Assembly Languages
  • Automata
  • Computer Languages
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Formal Languages
  • Grammars
  • Language
  • Linguistics
  • Machine Languages
  • Mathematical Logic
  • Object Code
  • Production
  • Programming Languages
  • Theses

Fields of Study

  • Computer science

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