Some Techniques for Describing Programming Languages

摘要

The paper examines several techniques for describing a programming language, points out desirable qualities in programming language description, and notes some incompatibilities among these qualities. Misconceptions with regard to the appropriate role of compact syntax metalanguages are pointed out. Reasons are adduced for producing a single definitive document to specify a given programming language for the edification of all programmers skilled in the art. A lean mix of compact syntax metalanguage with natural language is recommended for writing such a document. (Author)