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High-level semantics

An integrated approach to programming language semantics and the specification of implementations

  • Part VI New Directions
  • Conference paper
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Mathematical Foundations of Programming Language Semantics (MFPS 1987)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 298))

Abstract

In the course of implementing a semantics directed compiler generator we have developed high-level semantics, a new style of semantic definition which overcomes fundamental problems concerning the specification techniques used in traditional denotational semantics. In the past, these problems have precluded the generation of realistic compilers from traditional denotational specifications. By contrast, high-level semantic specifications are suitable for both defining the functional semantics of programming languages, and describing realistic compiler implementations which are automatically generated from the semantics.

In an earlier paper we described the MESS system, a prototype implementation of a compiler generator incorporating the principles of high-level semantics. Here, we summarize the salient characteristics of our methodology. A comprehensive overview of high-level semantics and the MESS compiler generator can be found in the dissertation of the second author.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. PhiloSoft and The University of Michigan, 48109, Ann Arbor, Michigan

    Uwe F. Pleban

  2. Computer Science Department, Carnegie Mellon University, 15213, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    Peter Lee

Authors
  1. Uwe F. Pleban
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  2. Peter Lee
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Editor information

M. Main A. Melton M. Mislove D. Schmidt

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© 1988 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Pleban, U.F., Lee, P. (1988). High-level semantics. In: Main, M., Melton, A., Mislove, M., Schmidt, D. (eds) Mathematical Foundations of Programming Language Semantics. MFPS 1987. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 298. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-19020-1_29

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-19020-1_29

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-19020-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-38920-0

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