Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

An operational semantics for specifications of abstract data types with error handling

  • Published:
Acta Informatica Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A new approach to an operational treatment of errors and exceptions in specifications of abstract data types is presented. Considering a specification as a term rewriting system, we define an operational semantics and give conditions that are sufficient for its well-definedness (Church-Rosser property). Also, we give conditions that are sufficient for the termination of reduction strategies, respecting the specified error and exception handling.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Goguen, J.A., Thatcher, J.W., Wagner, E.G.: An Initial Algebra Approach to the Specification, Correctness, and Implementation of Abstract Data Types. Current Trends in Programming Methodology, Vol. IV. Yeh, R.T. (ed.). Prentice Hall, pp. 80–149, 1978

  2. Burstall, R.M., Goguen, J.A.: Putting Theories Together to Make Specifications. Proc. 5th Int Joint Conf. Artificial Intelligence, MIT, Cambridge, MA, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  3. Burstall, R.M., Goguen, J.A.: The Semantics of CLEAR, a Specification Language. Proc. 1979 Copenhagen Winter School Abstr. Software Specifications. Bjorner, D. (ed.). LNCS 86, pp. 292–331. Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer, 1980

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ehrich, H.-D.: Extensions and Implementations of Abstract Data Type Specifications. Proc. 7th Symp. MFCS 78. Winkowski, J. (ed.). LNCS 64, pp. 155–164, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York:Springer, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  5. Ehrich, H.-D.: On the Theory of Specification, Implementation, and Parametrization of Abstract Data Types. Bericht Nr. 82/79, Abt. Informatik, Universität Dortmund

  6. Ehrig, H., Kreowski, H.-J., Padawitz, P.: Stepwise Specification and Implementation of Abstract Data Types. Internal Report, TU Berlin, FB 20, Inst. Software Theor. Inform., 1977

  7. Ehrig, H., Kreowski, H.-J., Thatcher, J.W., Wagner, E.G., Wright, J.B.: Parameter Passing in Algebraic Specification Languages. Internal Report, FB 20, TU Berlin, 1980

  8. Ehrig, H., Kreowski, H.-J., Weber, H.: Algebraic Specification Schemes for Data Base Systems. Hahn-Meitner-Institut f. Kernforschung Berlin GmbH, HMI-B 266, Februar 1978

  9. Engels, G., Pletat, U.: Analyse von Regelschemata für Unterbaumersetzungssysteme. Diplomarbeit, Abt. Informatik, Univ. Dortmund, März 1980

  10. Engels, G., Pletat, U., Ehrich, H.-D.: Handling Errors and Exceptions in the Algebraic Specification of Data Types. Osnabrücker Schriften zur Mathematik, Reihe Informatik, OSM 13, 1981

  11. Ganzinger, H.: Parameterized Specifications: Parameter Passing and Implementation. Internal Report, EECS-Comp. Sc. Division, UC Berkeley, September 1980

  12. Goguen, J.A.: Abstract Errors for Abstract Data Types. Proc. Conf. on Formal Description of Programming Concepts. Neuhold, E.J. (ed.). Amsterdam: North-Holland, 1978

    Google Scholar 

  13. Goguen, J.A.: Order Sorted Algebras: Exception and Error Sorts, Coercions, and Overloaded Operators. Semantics and Theory of Computation Reports No. 14, University of California, Los Angeles, December 1978

    Google Scholar 

  14. Guttag, J.V., Horowitz, E., Musser, D.R.: Abstract Data Types and Software Validation. Information Sciences Institute, Report RR-76-48, Marina del Rey, CA, August 1976

    Google Scholar 

  15. Huet, G.: Confluent Reductions: Abstract Properties and Applications to Term Rewriting Systems. 18th IEEE Symp. Foundations Comput Sci., pp. 30–45, 1977

  16. Knuth, D., Bendix, P.: Simple word problems in universal algebras, Computational Problems in Abstract Data Types. Leech, J. (ed.), Pergamon Press, pp. 263–297, 1970

  17. Kraus, T., Wiegand, J.: Entwurf und Implementierung einer Spezifikationssprache für abstrakte Datentypen. Diplomarbeit, Abt. Informatik, Universität Dortmund, 1980

  18. Majster, M.E.: Treatment of Partial Operations in the Algebraic Specification Technique. Institut für Informatik, München, In: Proc. Specifications of Reliable Software, IEEE, 1979

  19. O'Donnell, M.J.: Computing in Systems Described by Equations. LNCS 58, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York: Springer, 1977

    Google Scholar 

  20. Pletat, U., Engels, G., Ehrich, H.-D.: An Operational Approach to Conditional Algebraic Specifications. In: Proc. 7eme Colloque sur les Arbres en Algebre et en Programmation, caap 82, Lille, 1982 (to appear)

  21. Rosen, B.K.: Tree-Manipulating Systems and Church-Rosser Theorems. JACM 20, 160–187 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Wand, M.: Algebraic Theories and Tree Rewriting Systems. Technical Report No. 66, Bloomington, IN: Indiana Univ., 1977

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Angewandte Informatik, Universität Osnabrück, Postfach 4469, D-4500, Osnabrück, Fed. Rep.

    G. Engels

  2. Institut für Informatik, Universität Stuttgart, Azenbergstraße 12, D-7000, Stuttgart 1, Fed. Rep.

    U. Pletat

  3. Lehrstuhl B für Informatik, TU Braunschweig, srGauss-Straße 12, D-3300, Braunschweig, Fed. Rep.

    H. -D. Ehrich

Authors
  1. G. Engels
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. U. Pletat
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. H. -D. Ehrich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Engels, G., Pletat, U. & Ehrich, H.D. An operational semantics for specifications of abstract data types with error handling. Acta Informatica 19, 235–253 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00265557

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00265557

Keywords

Search

Navigation