Operational semantics of a distributed object-oriented language and its Z formal specification
Résumé
PolyGoth is a distributed programming language that integrates the class abstraction of languages like Simula, SmallTalk, Pool or Eiffel with a parallel block structuring concept and its associated notations, namely multiprocedures and fragments. The concepts and notations introduced in PolyGoth enable programmers to address distribution issues in a novel and structured way. To avoid useless complexity, a kernel of the language is used to exhibit the semantics of its most interesting constructs. The semantics is given in an operational way that is based on a transition system. The Z specification language is used to describe the semantics. This novel use of a specification language greatly enhances the structure of the description, its rigorousness, and perhaps, its use fulness.