Syntax and Semantics Essay Example for Free

Syntax and Semantics Essay In programming language theory, semantics is the field concerned with the rigorous mathematical study of the meaning of programming languages. It does so by evaluating the meaning of syntactically legal strings defined by a specific programming language, showing the computation involved. In such a case that the evaluation would be of syntactically illegal strings, the result would be non-computation. Semantics describes the processes a computer follows when executing a program in that specific language. This can be shown by describing the relationship between the input and output of a program, or an explanation of how the program will execute on a certain platform, hence creating a model of computation. Semantics reveals the meaning of syntactically valid strings in a language. For natural languages, this means correlating sentences and phrases with the objects, thoughts, and feelings of our experiences. For programming languages, semantics describes the behavior that a computer follows when executing a program in the language. We might disclose this behavior by describing the relationship between the input and output of a program or by a step-by-step explanation of how a program will execute on a real or an abstract machine. Semantics is concerned with the interpretation or understanding of programs and how to predict the outcome of program execution. The semantics of a programming language describe the relation between the syntax and the model of computation. Semantics can be thought of as a function which maps syntactical constructs to the computational model. This approach is called syntax-directed semantics There are several widely used techniques ( algebraic, axiomatic, denotational, operational, and translation) for the description of the semantics of programming languages. †¢Algebraic semantics describe the meaning of a program by defining an algebra. The algebraic relationships and operations are described by axioms and equations. †¢Axiomatic semantics defines the meaning of the program implicitly. It makes assertions about relationships that hold at each point in the execution of the program. Axioms define the properties of the control structures and state the properties that may be inferred. A property about a program is deduced by using the axioms. Each program has a pre-condition which describes the initial conditions required by the program prior to execution and a post-condition which describes, upon termination of the program, the desired program property. †¢Denotational semantics tell what is computed by giving a mathematical object (typically a function) which is the meaning of the program. Denotational semantics are used in comparitive studies of programming langauges. †¢Operational semantics tell how a computation is performed by defining how to simulate the execution of the program. Operational semantics may describe the syntactic transformations which mimic the execution of the program on an abstract machine or define a translation of the program into recursive functions. Operational semantics are used when learning a programming language and by compiler writers. †¢Translation semantics describe how to translate a program into an other langauge usually the language of a machine. Translation semantics are used in compilers. Much of the work in the semantics of programming languages is motivated by the problems encountered in trying to construct and understand imperative programs programs with assignment commands. Since the assignment command reassigns values to variables, the assignment can have unexpected effects in distant portions of the program. Syntax In computer science, the syntax of a computer language is the set of rules that defines the combinations of symbols that are considered to be correctly structured document or fragment in that language. This applies both to programming languages, where the document represents source code, and markup languages, where the document represents data. The syntax of a language defines its surface form.[1] Text-based computer languages are based on sequences of characters, while visual programming languages are based on the spatial layout and connections between symbols (which may be textual or graphical). Documents that are syntactically invalid are said to have a syntax error. Syntax refers to the ways symbols may be combined to create well-formed sentences (or programs) in the language. Syntax deï ¬ nes the formal relations between the constituents of a language, thereby providing a structural description of the various expressions that make up legal strings in the language. Syntax deals solely with the form and structure of symbols in a language without any consideration given to their meaning. Syntax – the form – is contrasted with semantics – the meaning. In processing computer languages, semantic processing generally comes after syntactic processing, but in some cases semantic processing is necessary for complete syntactic analysis, and these are done together or concurrently. In a compiler, the syntactic analysis comprises the frontend, while semantic analysis comprises the backend (and middle end, if this phase is distinguished). Syntax versus semantics The syntax of a language describes the form of a valid program, but does not provide any information about the meaning of the program or the results of executing that program. The meaning given to a combination of symbols is handled by semantics (either formal or hard-coded in a reference implementation). Not all syntactically correct programs are semantically correct. Many syntactically correct programs are nonetheless ill-formed, per the languages rules; and may (depending on the language specification and the soundness of the implementation) result in an error on translation or execution. In some cases, such programs may exhibit undefined behavior. Even when a program is well-defined within a language, it may still have a meaning that is not intended by the person who wrote it. Using natural language as an example, it may not be possible to assign a meaning to a grammatically correct sentence or the sentence may be false: †¢Colorless green ideas sleep furiously. is grammatically well-formed but has no generally accepted meaning. †¢John is a married bachelor. is grammatically well-formed but expresses a meaning that cannot be true. Statement In computer programming a statement is the smallest standalone element of an imperative programming language. A program written in such a language is formed by a sequence of one or more statements. A statement will have internal components (e.g., expressions). Many languages (e.g. C) make a distinction between statements and definitions, with a statement only containing executable code and a definition declaring an identifier. A distinction can also be made between simple and compound statements; the latter may contain statements as components.

Subject: Hemmingway-The Sun Also Rises :: essays papers

Subject: Hemmingway-The Sun Also Rises In the novel The Sun Also Rises, by Ernest Hemingway, a reader is forced to decide weather the spite that the Jake has for Chon originates from Jake ¹s racist background, or his deeply seeded jealousy of Chon for having a brief affair with Brett. Even though it is clear that Jake has racist views, the hatred he has for his former friend Chon Chon is strictly based on the jealousy he feels towards Chon for the weekend he spent with Brett. Jake goes in to great detail about Chon ¹s early life. He speaks highly and admiringly of Chon, but in a condescending way. A reader get her first hint on page one that Jake has some racist feelings toward Chon. He speaks of how Chon's nose was flattened in a boxing match and concluded the sentence with  ³...and it certainly improved his nose ² (11). This can be taken as a reference to the stereotypical  ³Jew ² nose that is often associated with Jewish people. Jake and Chon are close friends, and Jake likes him up to the point where he becomes involved with Brett. Jake goes on and on about all of the relationship mistakes in Chon ¹s life. There is an hint of jealousy that appears in Jake's tone. He states that women began to become attracted to Chon as he got older, and that it  ³changed him so that he was not so pleasant to have around ² (16). There is racism in Jake ¹s tone, but Jake ¹s problem with Chon is is strictly one of jealousy. By this time Jake has already developed an extreme distaste for Chon ¹s endeavors with women, but these feelings their peak when Chon and Lady Brett have a brief affair. Jake, having unconditional love for Brett, blames the entire incident on Chon. In turn, Chon makes as point to rub it in Jake ¹s face. Jake says  ³...it was giving him pleasure to be able to talk with the understanding that I knew there was something between them ² (106). Jake has a great deal of trouble dealing with this. It has nothing to do with the fact that Chon is Jewish, Jake is merely jealous of him. It would not be manly for Jake to openly admit his jealousy, and blame the jealousy on his harsh feelings toward Chon. As a result Jake falls back on the fact that

Hinduism & Buddhism

Hinduism * A combination of a member of religious traditions in India * A polytheistic religion (More than one god) * God is Brahman – Creator and creation, made manifest in 3 persons: 1. Brahma – Creator 2. Vishnu – Preserver 3. Shiva – Destroyer * According to Hinduism, our true self is Brahman * The human soul is Atman * Basic Hindu phrase is â€Å"Atman is Brahman† or â€Å"Tat Tatum asi†, meaning â€Å"That Thou Art! † * Goal of Hindu life: 1. Become perfected to the extent that the soul merges with the soul of god 2. No need to be born again in another human body Hindus believe that the human soul journeys through one life and then dies and is born again into a new body through â€Å"reincarnation† or â€Å"transmigration† * Samsara: Cycle of Rebirth * Dharma: Ethical duties of a person * Karma: Law of receiving what one deserves * Hindus believe that the soul is reborn into a higher stage of existence if the person has lived a good life * Moksha: The liberation from the Hindus endless cycles of rebirth * The path to Moksha which most followed is devotion * Hindus believe in the Caste System.Social Groups in to which Hindus are born * 4 Main Castes: 1. Sedras – Laborers 2. Valeyas – Producers 3. Kshatrlyas – Administrators 4. Brahmias – Seers * 4 Stages of Hindu Life: 1. Student – (Brahmancarin) 2. Householder -(Grihartha) 3. Retirement – Working out the philosophy of life (Vanapratha) 4. Wonderer – Free from all attachments of life (Sannyasin) * Sannyasin: The Stage of Life where one renounces family, name and any memories of the past * 4 Wants of Hinduism: 1. Pleasure 2. Success 3. Duty 4. Liberation Classic Period of Hinduism: Era when Hinduism becomes distinguished as a religion * In regards to other religions, Hinduism is tolerant * Both Buddhism and Jainism grew out of Hinduism and were founded as reactions to Hinduism * Jainism and Buddhi sm advocate non-violence * Sikhism was founded by Guru Nank and has its roots in Hinduism. It's a symbol of Hinduism and Islam * One of the most popular aspects of Hinduism is â€Å"Yoga† * Yoga = Discipline – helps a Hindu rise above his self limitation * Bhagavad-Gita is an example of Hindu sacred literatureBuddhism * Siddhartha Gautama * Raised a Hindu in â€Å"warrior† caste * Became Buddha (Enlightened One) * Attained enlightenment when he realized the importance of understanding suffering as articulated in the â€Å"4 Noble Truths† * His Philosophy: * Doctrine of â€Å"middle way† * Middle Way: Living Half way between luxury and poverty (different than rich & poor) * Buddhism spread into the Far East – Broke into Sects. * Main Types of Buddhism: 1. Theravada – School of Elders * Stressing Individual Salvation * Holding Traditional Thoughts South East Asian, Buma, Cevalon and Malano 2. Mahayana – Great Vehicle – * S tressing Social Salvation * Having a number of sects and diverse thoughts (Zen Buddhism) 3. Vajrayana – Diamond Vehicle * Through growing out of Hinduism, Buddhism has lost influence as a religion in India * 4 Noble truths: 1. In Life, Suffering Abounds 2. Suffering is Caused by Desire – The Ego 3. Cure lies in overcoming selfish craving 4. Cure can be accomplished by following the â€Å"Eightfold Path† * Eightfold Path: . Right Understanding – Awareness of what is suffering (4 Noble Truths) 2. Right Thought – Purifying the Mind3. Right Speech – Speak Truthfully 4. Right Conduct – Don't Lie, Kill, Commit Adultery, Consume intoxications 5. Right Livelihood – Actions used to earn a living, not to harm others 6. Right Effort -Be diligent and cultivating good thoughts 7. Right Mindfulness -Knowing oneself 8. Right Concentration -Help see things as they really are * Since Buddhism outgrew Hinduism Kept Assumption that humans are reb orn into new bodies * God of life is the absorption of the self into the infinite * Nirvana (Meditation): Such absorption in Buddhism * Unlike Hindus, Buddhism ignores the caste systems and Hindu Rituals * Meditation is vital to all branches of Buddhism * Tripitaka: Sacred literature in Buddhism (Three Baskets) * Written from oral traditions about 150 years after Buddha lived * Like Hindus, most Buddhist festivals are local or religious events * Funeral rituals are important to Buddhists Strong interest in after life * 3 Jewels – Considered to be the core of Buddhism 1. Sangha – Community of Buddhists, monks, nuns and lay people 2. Buddha – Name for those enlightened according to Buddhist faith Buddha with â€Å"B† refers to Siddhartha Gautama3. Dharma – Buddha's Teachings * Symbols of Buddhism 1. Wheel of Law – 8 Spokes represent Eightfold Path 2. Bodhi Tree – Place of Enlightenment 3. Stupas/Pagooas – A dome/shaped monument u sed to house Buddhist relics (Pagodas are Larger stupas)

My Personal Experience With College - 1045 Words

Introduction What are the first few adjectives that come to your mind when you think of college? It is part of American culture to make college look like the best years of a person’s life. Television, movies, and even music does a fantastic job glorifying the college experience. Often times, the high stress is never portrayed. Take my school’s statistics on stress for example, 47.9% of MTSU students reported feeling their stress levels were greater than average over the 12 months prior to completing the survey, and 27.3% of MTSU students reported their academics were negatively impacted because of stress (MTSU, 2013). With that being said, â€Å"Could writing be an outlet for students to alleviate college stress?† Background Every millisecond†¦show more content†¦Researchers from Wayne State University found that, â€Å"Writing about general life stress for 4 days led to better grades during the immediately subsequent semester† (Cameron Nicholls, 1998). While the research does note that GPA was not actually raised, writing about stress prevented it from dropping in this study. In spite of the two compelling studies mentioned previously, writing doesn’t seem to work universally as a means of stress reduction. In some cases, it might not work at all according to Murray (2002) who states, â€Å"Writing about negative and positive life events produced no physical health benefits in undergraduate students.† In fact, it may widely depend on a student’s ability to derive meaning from their writing to reap any potential benefits. If the writer can not find meaning in their writing it may actually make the situation that’s creating stress even worse (Murray, 2010). Stu dents shouldn’t take it upon themselves to write their feelings if they are just writing and not reflecting on them. One last thing to point out is the ability of writing to make you realize what has been hidden in your subconscious. If a student started writing their stressors out, they might eventually realize things they did not want to through their writing. Dr. Chandiramani (2016) explains that, â€Å"Some clients might find that writing about a particular experience makes them feel worse as the experience grows on them.† It seems writing aboutShow MoreRelatedMy Personal Experience : My Experience In College1021 Words   |  5 Pagesexpected people to be different, however, deep down I still expected everyone to be the same as the people from my hometown. Nevertheless, now that I have grown accustomed to the people here I have grown a love for my new community. I have learned to find beauty in every person I come in contact with and I am open to new things. I ha ve started the path to learning how to love myself in my rawest form. 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