Specification languages for control programs

Abstract

This study (1) describes an approach to the formal specification of control programs based on the generalized concept of binding. From this viewpoint, the individual operations of a control program may be described by a graphic specification language [related to mem-theory (2)], whose statements are pairs of graphs depicting the original and final binding states of system elements. A global view of interrelationships and dynamic behavior of the system may be described by an extension of Petri-nets (3, 4) depicting the flow of system elements from one state of local binding to another. A rational approach to the design of a new programming language must begin with an analysis of the “meanings” that are to be expressed; an appropriate, compilable syntax can then be developed around this skeleton. Consequently, we seek to identify, the characteristic features of operating system programming, and in particular those that differentiate these programs from conventional ones.