Abstract

Nominal logic is an extension of first-order logic which provides a simple foundation for formalizing and reasoning about abstract syntax modulo consistent renaming of bound names (that is, α-equivalence). This article investigates logic programming based on nominal logic. This technique is especially well-suited for prototyping type systems, proof theories, operational semantics rules, and other formal systems in which bound names are present. In many cases, nominal logic programs are essentially literal translations of “paper” specifications. As such, nominal logic programming provides an executable specification language for prototyping, communicating, and experimenting with formal systems. We describe some typical nominal logic programs, and develop the model-theoretic, proof-theoretic, and operational semantics of such programs. Besides being of interest for ensuring the correct behavior of implementations, these results provide a rigorous foundation for techniques for analysis and reasoning about nominal logic programs, as we illustrate via two examples.

Citations