Translation of Phrase Structured Programming Languages.
Abstract
An integrated formal theory of phrase structure linguistic descriptions has been developed, based on classical phrase linguistic theory and on a new formal theory of phrase structure semantics developed by this research project. The theory provides for both context-sensitive syntax and semantic structure, interpretations, the meaning of certain linguistic entities such as morphemes, phrases, sentences, and statements, and specifies the nature of and relationship between syntactic and semantic ambiguity. The theorectical model of syntax and semantics was developed in order to study the computational aspects of semantic interpreters and language translators. Based on the model, a theory of interpretation and translation was constructed, and a number of results in these two areas have been developed. It was shown how linguistic properties can be treated either as context-sensitive or context-free and either as semantic or syntactic information. This theory establishes the basis for further research into the computational complexity of semantic interpreters and especially into the problem of minimizing the complexity of interpreters by proper trade-offs between syntax and semantics and/or 'context-sensitive'-ness and 'context-free'-ness.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA080100
Entities
People
- William Buttelmann
Organizations
- Ohio State University