Semantics of computation

Programme theme

The general aims of the programme are twofold. First, to refine the current framework for the semantics of computation so that it is capable of dealing with the more subtle computational features present in the programming languages of today and tomorrow. Secondly, to provide a framework for interaction between such fundamental research and the issues confronted by language designers and software engineers. We particularly have in mind current developments such as object-based concurrent programming, and projects to develop the next generation of advanced programming languages, such as ML 2000. The range of technical and conceptual challenges involved in this work requires active collaboration and flow of information between overlapping communities of mathematicians, computer scientists and computer practitioners. Our main objective for the programme is to provide an ideal, focussed setting for intensifying this interaction.

Programme of Events

Jul 10-12: Semantics for System Design (SSD). The object of this short workshop is to stimulate discussion of the top-down approach to semantics for system design. The format will be highly informal. The idea is to stimulate more intimate discussions between those experienced in a variety of semantic approaches. For this reason, the emphasis will be on challenges, open questions, and work in progress, rather than background, results or conclusions. The following people have agreed to give talks so far: H Jifeng, P Gardiner, CAR Hoare, C Martin, O de Moor. For further details contact Tony Hoare.

Jul 17-21: Themes in the Semantics of Computation (TSC). This workshop is intended to open up some of the themes to be pursued during the Semantics of Computation research programme, with some emphasis on the interplay between theory and practice. Apart from the invited talks and accompanying sessions, there will also be scope for contributed talks. Invited speakers will include: CAR Hoare, C Jones, G Kahn, R Milner, JC Reynolds, and A Yonezawa. For further details contact Samson Abramsky.

Aug 14-18: Advances in Type Systems for Computing (ATSC). A Euroconference focussing on three related areas of concern to the programme, namely extensions of the ML type system, types in object-oriented programming and type theories for reactive systems. Invited speakers will include: M Abadi, K Bruce, L Cardelli, R Harper, D MacQueen, X Leroy, J Palsberg, B Pierce, V Saraswat, S Smith, M Tofte, A Yonezawa. Programme committee: S Abramsky, L Cardelli, J Mitchell (chair), A Pitts, A Yonezawa. For further details contact John Mitchell. Grants (from EU HCM Euroconference funds) towards the cost of attending the workshop will be available upon a competitive basis for `young' European researchers: for further details contact Florence Leroy.

Sep 18-19: Category Theory and Logic Programming. Organiser Jim Lipton.

Sep 25-29: Summer School on Semantics and Logics of Computation (SLC) in collaboration with the CEC ESPRIT project Categorical Logic in Computer Science (CLICS-II). Lecturers: S Abramsky, T Coquand, M Hofmann, M Hyland, E Moggi, M Neilsen, A Pitts, G Winskel. Organisers: A Pitts (for the programme) and P Dybjer (for CLICS-II). For further details contact Andrew Pitts.

Oct 2-4: High-level Concurrent Languages: Foundations and Verification Techniques (HLCL). The object of this short workshop is to bring together programming language designers and concurrency theorists to share both ideas and problems, focussing on what can be achieved with present-day tools and techniques and on the search for new foundations. For further details contact either Benjamin Pierce or Matthew Hennessy.

Oct 16-18:Linear Logic and Applications (LLA). This short workshop will focus on recent developments in Linear Logic and its applications to computer science. For further details contact Gavin Bierman.

Oct 28-31:Higher Order Operational Techniques for Semantics (HOOTS). This short workshop will focus on current developments in operational techniques for the semantics of higher-order languages. This includes (but is not limited to): operational techniques such as verification of type-systems; proofs of program properties using observational or contextual equivalence, (applicative) bisimulation, and Hennessy-Milner logics. For further details contact Andrew Gordon.

Nov 6-10: Games, Processes and Logic. The workshop will focus on games as a model computation and the connections with the semantics of processes and of proofs. The aim is to bring together researchers pursuing these various strands, to compare and contrast the different approaches, and take stock of current progress and future directions.Organiser: Samson Abramsky.

Nov 20-24: New Connections between Mathematics and Computer Science. A workshop in collaboration with Hewlett-Packard's Basic Research Institute in the Mathematical Sciences (BRIMS) and our sister research programme at INI, From Finite to Infinite Dimensional Dynamical Systems. Organiser: Jeremy Gunawardena.