A semantically oriented program synthesis system

Abstract

An overview is given of SEED, an automatic program development system that transforms specifications into code using program development methodologies. It is shown that top-down, stepwise program development techniques, originally intended for use by humans, are amenable to automation. When using the Dijkstra/Gries methodology, users refine the predicate logic-based specification of a problem, according to set of heuristics, into code. A major portion of the SEED project involved clarifying their heuristics, intended for human application, to facilitate the development of an executable rule based system. N. Dershowitz's fact introduction scheme (Artif. Intell., vol.25, 323-73, 1985) was used to allow the user to tailor SEED to a particular problem domain by adding to a fact base that is consulted during the rule application process. SEED accepts a specification as input and returns either a program or an error message if a program cannot be developed.<>