MIT Press The Definition of Standard ML Revised Edition (1997) e

The Definition of Standard ML, Revised Edition (1997)

Robin Milner, Mads Tofte, David Macqueen

MIT Press
ISBN:0262631814

EPUB


Standard ML is a general-purpose programming language designed for large projects.
This book provides a formal definition of Standard ML for the benefit of all concerned with the
language, including users and implementers. Because computer programs are increasingly required to
withstand rigorous analysis, it is all the more important that the language in which they are
written be defined with full rigor.One purpose of a language definition is to establish a theory of
meanings upon which the understanding of particular programs may rest. To properly define a
programming language, it is necessary to use some form of notation other than a programming
language. Given a concern for rigor, mathematical notation is an obvious choice. The authors have
defined their semantic objects in mathematical notation that is completely independent of Standard
ML.In defining a language one must also define the rules of evaluation precisely--that is, define
what meaning results from evaluating any phrase of the language. The definition thus constitutes a
formal specification for an implementation. The authors have developed enough of their theory to
give sense to their rules of evaluation.The Definition of Standard ML is the essential point of
reference for Standard ML. Since its publication in 1990, the implementation technology of the
language has advanced enormously and the number of users has grown. The revised edition includes a
number of new features, omits little-used features, and corrects mistakes of definition.