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.