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A unified-algebra-based specification language for symbolic computing

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Design and Implementation of Symbolic Computation Systems (DISCO 1993)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 722))

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Abstract

A precise and perspicuous specification of mathematical domains of computation and their inherently related type inference mechanisms is a prerequisite for the design and systematic development of a system for symbolic computing. This paper describes Formal, a language for giving modular and well-structured specifications of such domains and particularly of “mathematical objects”. A novel framework for algebraic specification involving so-called “unified algebras” has been adopted, where sorts are treated as values. The adoption of this framework aims also at being capable of specifying polymorphism, unifying the notions of “parametric” and “inclusion” polymorphisms. Furthermore, the operational nature of the specification formalisms allows a straightforward transformation into an executable form.

We use the notions of parametric and inclusion polymorphism according to those introduced in [CW85].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institut für Algorithmen und Kognitive Systeme, Universität Karlsruhe, Am Fasanengarten 5, 76128, Karlsruhe, Germany

    J. Calmet & I. A. Tjandra

Authors
  1. J. Calmet
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  2. I. A. Tjandra
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Alfonso Miola

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© 1993 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Calmet, J., Tjandra, I.A. (1993). A unified-algebra-based specification language for symbolic computing. In: Miola, A. (eds) Design and Implementation of Symbolic Computation Systems. DISCO 1993. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 722. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0013173

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BFb0013173

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-57235-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-47985-7

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