Formal syntax and semantics of programming languages : a laboratory based approach

Formal Syntax and Semantics of Programming Languages: A Laboratory Based Approach presents a panorama of techniques in formal syntax, operational semantics and formal semantics. Using a teaching/learning perspective rather than a research-oriented approach, an understanding of the meta-languages is accessible to anyone with a basic grounding in discrete mathematics and programming language concepts. Throughout the book, valuable hands-on laboratory exercises provide the opportunity for practical application of difficult concepts. Various exercises and examples, implementing syntactic and semantic specifications on real systems, give students hands-on practice. Supplemental software is available on disk or via file transfer protocol. This book is suitable for an advanced undergraduate or introductory graduate level course on the formal syntax and semantics of programming languages. With this book, readers with a basic grounding in discreet mathematics will be able to understand the practical applications of these difficult concepts. The book presents the typically difficult subject of "formal methods" in an informal, easy-to-follow manner. A "laboratory component" is integrated throughout the text. Adopting an informal presentation, this text covers the difficult subject area of Formal Methods. Aiming to make the work accessible and motivational, the authors approach the subject from a "teaching/learning" perspective rather than from the traditional and dominant research angle.