Experience with the formal semantic definition of HAL/S

Authors:
Terrence W. Pratt;George D. Maydwell
Affiliations:
Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia;Department of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
Venue:
SIGPLAN '82 Proceedings of the 1982 SIGPLAN symposium on Compiler construction
Year:
1982

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Abstract

HAL/S is a large general purpose real-time programming language somewhat similar to ADA. Its major applications are for embedded real-time systems, in particular for the Space Shuttle on-board computer software and similar applications within NASA. After the language had been in regular use for several years, we were requested by NASA to prepare a formal semantic definition of the language using the method of H-graph semantics. This paper reports on the method and structure of that definition and on experience with its use in finding and correcting errors in the language specification and in the design of implementations for the language.