Action semantics in retrospect

Watt, D.A. (2009) Action semantics in retrospect. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 5700, pp. 4-20. (doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-04164-8_2)

Abstract

This paper is a themed account of the action semantics project, which Peter Mosses has led since the 1980s. It explains his motivations for developing action semantics, the inspirations behind its design, and the foundations of action semantics based on unified algebras. It goes on to outline some applications of action semantics to describe real programming languages, and some efforts to implement programming languages using action semantics directed compiler generation. It concludes by outlining more recent developments and reflecting on the success of the action semantics project.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Watt, Professor David
• Authors: Watt, D.A.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• Journal Name: Lecture Notes in Computer Science
• ISSN: 0302-9743
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2009 Springer
• First Published: First published in Lecture Notes in Computer Science 5700:4-20
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher