Algorithmic Language and Program Development

The title of this book contains the words ALGORITHMIC LANGUAGE, in the singular. This is meant to convey the idea that it deals not so much with the diversity of program­ ming languages, but rather with their commonalities. The task of formal program develop­ It allows classifying ment proved to be the ideal frame for demonstrating this unity. concepts and distinguishing fundamental notions from notational features; and it leads immediately to a systematic disposition. This approach is supported by didactic, practical, and theoretical considerations. The clarity of the structure of a programming language de­ signed according to the principles of program transformation is remarkable. Of course there are various notations for such a language. The notation used in this book is mainly oriented towards ALGOL 68, but is also strongly influenced by PASCAL - it could equally well have been the other way round. In the appendices there are occa­ sional references to the styles used in ALGOL, PASCAL, LISP, and elsewhere.

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0.1 On the Etymology of the Word Algorithm -- 0.2 How Algorithms are Characterized -- 0.3 Programming as an Evolutionary Process -- 0.4 How to Solve it -- 1. Routines -- 1.1 The Parameter Concept -- 1.2 Declaration of a Routine -- 1.3 Hierarchical Construction of Routines -- 1.4 Recursive Routines and Systems -- 1.5 Mathematical Semantics: Fixpoint Theory -- 1.6 Proofs by Induction of Properties of Routines -- 1.7 Operational Semantics: Machines -- 1.8 Restriction of the Parameter Domain -- 1.9 Dijkstra's Guards -- 1.10 Pre-Algorithmic Formulations by Means of Choice and Determination -- 1.11 Semantics of Non-Deterministic Constructions -- 1.12 Routines with a Multiple Result -- 1.13 Structuring of Routines -- 1.14 Routines as Parameters and Results -- Addendum: Notations -- 2. Objects and Object Structures -- 2.1 Denotations -- 2.2 Scope of a Freely Chosen Designation -- 2.3 Kinds of Objects -- 2.4 Sets of Objects, Modes -- 2.5 Composite Modes and Objects -- 2.6 Selectors, Structures with Direct (Selector) Access -- 2.7 Mode Variants -- 2.8 Introduction of New Modes: Summary -- 2.9 Recursive Object Structures -- 2.10 Algorithms with Linear Object Structures -- 2.11 The Recursive …