The CAOS framework for Scala: Computer-aided design of SOS

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2025

Authors

Proença, J (Author) FCUP; Edixhoven, L (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Science of Computer Programming

Vol. 240

ISSN: 0167-6423

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-017-7M7

DOI: 10.1016/j.scico.2024.103222

Abstract (EN): We present Caos: a programming framework for computer-aided design of structural operational semantics for formal models. This framework includes a set of Scala libraries and a workflow to produce visual and interactive diagrams that animate and provide insights over the structure and the semantics of a given abstract model with operational rules. Caos follows an approach where theoretical foundations and a practical tool are built together, as an alternative to foundations-first design (tool justifies theory) or tool-first design (foundations justify practice). The advantage of Caos is that the tool-under-development can immediately be used to automatically run numerous and sizeable examples in order to identify subtle mistakes, unexpected outcomes, and unforeseen limitations in the foundations-under-development, as early as possible. More concretely, Caos supports the quick creation of interactive websites that help the end-users better understand a new language, structure, or analysis. End-users can be research colleagues trying to understand a companion paper or students learning about a new simple language or operational semantics. We include a list of open-source projects with a web frontend supported by Caos that are used both in research and teaching contexts.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 5