Semantics of Programming Languages: A Tool-Oriented Approach

TL;DR

This paper advocates for a tool-oriented approach to programming language semantics, emphasizing its potential to enhance language design and facilitate the development of semantic-based tools and assistants.

Contribution

It introduces a focus on semantics-based tool generation, proposing a new perspective to increase the practical impact of programming language semantics.

Findings

Semantic knowledge can be integrated into language design tools.

Tool-oriented semantics can lead to more effective language design assistants.

Potential for semantic-based tools to improve programming language development.

Abstract

By paying more attention to semantics-based tool generation, programming language semantics can significantly increase its impact. Ultimately, this may lead to ``Language Design Assistants'' incorporating substantial amounts of semantic knowledge.