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Article 4507 of comp.ai.philosophy:
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>From: mgv@cs.scarolina.edu (Marco Valtorta)
Newsgroups: comp.ai.philosophy
Subject: Re: Definition of understanding
Message-ID: <mgv.700842800@ash.cs.scarolina.edu>
Date: 17 Mar 92 14:33:20 GMT
References: <1992Mar11.230114.29498@neptune.inf.ethz.ch> <1992Mar12.233945.9244@psych.toronto.edu> <1992Mar13.143003.26132@neptune.inf.ethz.ch> <1992Mar16.222403.26423@psych.toronto.edu>
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michael@psych.toronto.edu (Michael Gemar) writes:

>...all of which, as far as I can see, deny the possibility of a C++
>program having semantics.

Oh, no!  Don't tell this to my students!  C++ programs do have semantics.
Operational, assertional, denotational... I teach this in my programming 
languages course... Distinctions, distinctions...:-)

>While I appreciate your attempt to get at the issues discussed here, it
>seems to me that you are somewhat unclear as to how certain terms are
>used.  I would suggest that you look at some references that discuss
>these issues in more detail.  Until we are both clear on the basic
>terminology, I don't think it is worthwhile to pursue this on the Net.

For a brief introduction to programming language semantics, you may consult
most of the usual textbooks, e.g.,
Ghezzi, C. and M. Jayazeri, _Programming Language Concepts_, Wiley, 1987.
A more advanced, but still accessible treatment:
Nielson, H.R. and F. Nielson.  _Semantics with Applications: A Formal 
Introduction_, Wiley, 1992.

>- michael

Marco Valtorta, Assistant Professor	usenet: ...!ncrcae!usceast!mgv
Department of Computer Science	internet: mgv@usceast.cs.scarolina.edu
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