JTC1/SC22/WG14 N899

WG14/N899 (1999-10-19)

Subject: Draft text for an NP on Formal Semantics of Expressions
Source:  Clive Feather
Status:  For discussion at the October WG14 meeting. This text has not
         been presented to the UK C Panel.

1.  Title

Formal Semantics of Expressions

2.  Scope

To define a formalism for the semantics of expressions in the C language
(as defined in ISO/IEC 9899:1999) to enable users of the Standard to
determine unambiguously what expressions do or do not conform to the
language and their level of conformance.


3.  Purpose and Justification

In the C standard the semantics of correct expressions are well-defined,
but the rules for which expressions are "undefined", "unspecified", or
"implementation-defined" are not expressed clearly.

It is proposed to establish a new project to produce a Technical Report
(type 2) which would describe clear rules for this area of the standard,
in such a form that it could easily be added to the standard as a
normative annex.

The project also includes the production of the text for a Rationale
document (either separate or as part of the project document).


4.  Program of Work

A Technical Report (type 2) will be developed for this project.


5.  Relevant documents to be considered

ISO/IEC 9899:1999 - Programming Language C


6.  Cooperation and liaison

All ISO/IEC JTC1/SC22 working groups that have an interest in this area.


7.  Preparatory work offered with target date(s)

A Technical Report (type 2) will be ready for registration 12 months
after the approval of the project by JTC1.