On some innovations in teaching the formal semantics using software tools

Abstract

In this work we discuss the motivation for innovations and need of a teaching tool for the visualization of the natural semantics method of imperative programming languages. We present the rôle of the teaching software, its design, development and use in the teaching process. Our software module is able to visualize the natural semantics evaluation of programs. It serves as a compiler with environment that can visually interpret simple programming language Jane statements and to depict them into a derivation tree that represents the semantic method of natural semantics. A formal definition of programming language Jane used in the teaching of formal semantics and production rules in natural semantics for that language are shown as well. We present, how the presented teaching tool can provide particular visual steps in the process of finding the meaning of well-structured input program and to depict complete natural-semantic representation of an input program.

Investigating How Semantics Can Support or Hinder the Adoption of Educational Innovations

“…According to Steingartner's (2021) research, a software module that visualizes the "natural semantics" approach to comprehending imperative programming languages is a novel teaching aid. The study's main conclusions center on how hard it is for students to understand formal semantics, especially given how abstract the "natural semantics" approach is.…”

The visualization of a graph semantics of imperative languages

“…Many of these formal methods are based on the formal semantics of programming languages. Therefore, we consider the development and use of visualization tools that enable static or dynamic visualization of semantic procedures as a helpful and innovative element in the modernization of education in the field of basics of software engineering (Steingartner, 2021).…”