Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
424490 Electronic Notes in Theoretical Computer Science 2006 23 Pages PDF
Abstract

Partial functions and operators are used extensively in the formal development of programs and thus development methods have to clarify how to reason about them. There are a number of approaches which cover up the fact that “First Order Predicate Calculus” does not handle undefined logical values. There is also at least one specific “Logic of Partial Functions” (LPF) which tackles the issue at its root by using a weaker logic. Recently, we have come to realise that LPF fits a particular way of developing programs. This paper explains why LPF is a suitable logic for “posit and prove” development and explores some problems that other approaches present.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Computer Science Computational Theory and Mathematics