An Observational Semantics for Linda

Linda has just four primitives, all of which are devoted to coordinating the interactions among programs by sharing information maintained in a common data space. To write programs manipulating data, it is necessary to embed Linda in a (functional, imperative, logic, etc.) programming language; this leads to a family of languages based on Linda. We define syntax and semantics for a member of the Linda family, L, that is obtained by embedding Linda in a “simple” sequential language. The semantics of this concurrent programming language is formalized by applying techniques developed within the framework of process algebras. A two-level semantics for L is provided: an operational one in Plotkin’s style, based on a transition system, and an observational one, based on three behavioural preorders, obtained by applying the testing framework to L.

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