Semantics encoding: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 11:45, 20 April 2005

Revision as of 21:49, 20 April 2005

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AnA [[semantics]] encoding is a "translation" between [[formal languages]].

For programmers, the most familiar form of encoding is the compilation of a programming language into machine code or byte-code. Conversion between document formats are also forms of encoding. Compilation of [[TeX]] or [[LaTeX]] documents to [[PostScript]] are also commonly encountered encoding processes. Some high-level preprocessors such as [[Objective Caml]]'s Camlp4 or [[Apple]]'s [[WorldScript]] also involve encoding of a programming language into another.

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Formally, an encoding of a language A into language B is a mapping of all terms of A into B.

If there is a 'satisfactory' encoding of A into B, B is considered 'at least as powerful' (or 'at least as expressive') as A.

== Properties of encodings ==