Modularity in Meta-Languages
Peter D. Mosses December 2000 |
Abstract:
A meta-language for semantics has a high degree of modularity
when descriptions of individual language constructs can be formulated
independently using it, and do not require reformulation when new constructs
are added to the described language. The quest for modularity in semantic
meta-languages has been going on for more than two decades.
Here, most of the main meta-languages for operational, denotational, and hybrid styles of semantics are compared regarding their modularity. A simple bench-mark is used: describing the semantics of a pure functional language, then extending the described language with references, exceptions, and concurrency constructs. For each style of semantics, at least one of the considered meta-languages appears to provide a high degree of modularity. Available as PostScript, PDF, DVI. |