On the formal definition of PL/I

Abstract

This paper describes a formal definition of PL/I which has been produced by a group in the IBM Vienna Laboratory. The paper contains the outlines of the method rather than details of PL/I. The definition currently exists as a Technical Report "Formal Definition of PL/I" which contains the abstract syntax and the semantics for PL/I program text. A second version of this Technical Report is under preparation and will complete the description of PL/I in these areas where the first version omitted language features, or showed major deviations from the current language. The language described in the Report is PL/I as specified in the PL/I Language Specifications of the IBM Systems Reference Library, supplemented by additional information.