A Semantic Framework for Understanding the Behavior of Modules and Classes in Programming Languages

• Main Authors: DODANI, Mahesh, GAN, Benjamin Kok Siew
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 1994
• Subjects: Programming Languages; Formal Definitions and Theory; Theory of Computation; Specifying and Verifying and Reasoning about Programs; Semantics of Programming Languages; Formal Languages; Programming Languages and Compilers; Software Engineering
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/sis_research/2242; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/sis_research/article/3242/viewcontent/JMLC94.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Recent trends in programming language design and implementation are aimed at integrating the two most important constructs to combat complexity: modules and classes. Both constructs provide encapsulation, a cornerstone of reliable programming. These constructs differ in their approach to building hierarchies: modules define visibility of components while classes define visibility of functionality. How can modules and classes be effectively integrated within a simple programming language? This question captures the essence of developing semantics of these constructs to ensure that they interact in a meaningful way. This paper develops a formal denotational semantic framework for understanding the interaction between classes and modules within programming languages. This semantic framework is developed incrementally; beginning with a base object oriented language with support for classes, objects, message passing and inheritance; and followed by extensions that support modules. These extensions consider