Programming in logic without Prolog

TL;DR

This paper introduces a compositional semantics for logic that enables programming and database applications without relying on traditional logic programming languages like Prolog, allowing for efficient resource use and flexible function and relation definitions.

Contribution

It presents a new compositional semantics for logic that supports defining functions and relations independently of logic programming languages, bridging logic and practical programming.

Findings

Verification of results can be based on logic interpretations and class definitions.

The approach combines expressive power with resource efficiency.

It enables logic-based programming without Prolog.

Abstract

Logic can be made useful for programming and for databases independently of logic programming. To be useful in this way, logic has to provide a mechanism for the definition of new functions and new relations on the basis of those given in the interpretation of a logical theory. We provide this mechanism by creating a compositional semantics on top of the classical semantics. In this approach verification of computational results relies on a correspondence between logic interpretations and a class definition in languages like Java or C++. The advantage of this approach is the combination of an expressive medium for the programmer with, in the case of C++, optimal use of computer resources.