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Locations considered unnecessary

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Summary

Recent papers have attacked the use of locations, or pointers, as data objects in programs. This paper considers a generalization of this attack — attempting to remove locations from the underlying semantic model. Using the “mathematical semantics” of Scott and Strachey, we show that reference parameters and Algol scope rules for procedures, two constructs requiring the notion of reference, can be replaced with alternative constructs not requiring locations in the definition. Some conclusions are also drawn about the use of mathematical semantics as a language design tool.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Science, Cornell University, 14853, Ithaca, NY, USA

    James E. Donahue

Authors
  1. James E. Donahue
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Additional information

This research was partially supported by the National Research Council of Canada and by National Science Foundation grant MCS 76-14293

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Donahue, J.E. Locations considered unnecessary. Acta Informatica 8, 221–242 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00264468

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00264468

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