Post's Machine: A Didactic Microworld as an Introduction to Formal Programming

Authors:
V. Dagdilelis;M. Satratzemi
Affiliations:
Department of Educational and Social Policy, University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia Str. P.O. Box 1591, 54006 Thessaloniki, Greece, dagdil@macedonia.uom.gr;Department of Applied Informatics, University of Macedonia 156 Egnatia str, P. O. Box 1591, 54006 Thessaloniki, Greece, maya@macedonia.uom.gr
Venue:
Education and Information Technologies
Year:
2001

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Abstract

Although formal programming is considered a recognised programming model, many avoid teaching it because of its very high mental cost. For that reason we developed a “microscopic” environment based on Emil Post's theoretical machine as an introduction to formal methods of programming and in the framework of an introductory computer science course.In this paper, we present a small formal system for the development and simultaneous verification of algorithms; we give an example of problem solving in this environment; we present a small existing software simulating Post's machine; we propose two modules to facilitate the work in this environment; and finally, we present the didactic uses of Post's machine as an introduction to formal methods.