The syntax and semantics of a domain-specific language for flow-network design
Date
2012-02-17
DOI
Authors
Kfoury, Assaf
Version
OA Version
Citation
Kfoury, Assaf. "The Syntax and Semantics of a Domain-Specific Language for Flow-Network Design", Technical Report BUCS-TR-2012-003, Computer Science Department, Boston University, February 17, 2012. [Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/2144/11391]
Abstract
Flow networks are inductively defined, assembled from small components to produce arbitrarily large ones, with interchangeable functionally-equivalent parts. We carry out this induction formally using a domain-specific language (DSL). Associated with our DSL are a semantics and a typing theory. The latter gives rise to a system of formal annotations that enforce desirable properties of flow networks as invariants across their interfaces. A prerequisite for a typing theory is a formal semantics, i.e., a rigorous characterization of flows that are safe (or just feasible in this report) for the network, possibly restricted to satisfy additional efficiency or safety requirements. We give a detailed presentation of a denotational semantics only, but also point out the elements that an equivalent operational semantics must include.