Towards a Semantic Theory of Dynamic Binding

Abstract

The results in this paper contribute to the formulation of a semantic theory of dynamic binding (fluid variables). The axioms and theorems are language independent in that they don't talk about programs - i.e. syntactic objects - but just about elements in certain domains. Firstly the equivalence (in the circumstances where it's true) of 'tying a knot' through the environment (elaborated in the paper) and taking a least fixed point is shown. This is central in proving the correctness of LISP eval type interpreters. Secondly the relation which must hold between two environments if a program is to have the same meaning in both is established. It is shown how the theory can be applied to LISP to yield previously known facts.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 1975
Accession Number
ADA017175

Entities

People

  • Michael Gordon

Organizations

  • Stanford University

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  • Abstracts
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Computer Languages
  • Computer Science
  • Computers
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  • Language
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  • Semantics
  • Standards

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  • Computational Linguistics
  • Mathematical Modeling and Probability Theory.
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