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Logical specifications for functional programs

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Mathematics of Program Construction (MPC 1992)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 669))

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Abstract

We present a formal method of functional program development based on step-by-step transformation.

In their most abstract form, specifications are essentially predicates that relate the result of the specified program to the free variables of that program. In their most concrete form, specifications are simply programs in a functional programming language. Development from abstract specifications to programs is calculational.

Using logic in the specification language has many advantages. Importantly it allows nondeterministic specifications to be given, and thus does not force overspecification.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Canada

    Theodore S. Norvell & Eric C. R. Hehner

Authors
  1. Theodore S. Norvell
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  2. Eric C. R. Hehner
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Editor information

R. S. Bird C. C. Morgan J. C. P. Woodcock

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© 1993 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Norvell, T.S., Hehner, E.C.R. (1993). Logical specifications for functional programs. In: Bird, R.S., Morgan, C.C., Woodcock, J.C.P. (eds) Mathematics of Program Construction. MPC 1992. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 669. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-56625-2_18

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-56625-2_18

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-56625-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-47613-9

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