Onterminationof meta-programs

Title: Onterminationof meta-programs

Research Question: How can we develop a methodology for performing correct termination analysis for a broad class of practical meta-interpreters?

Methodology: The methodology is based on combining the power of general orderings, used in proving termination of term-rewrite systems and programs, and the well-known acceptability condition, used in proving termination of logic programs. This approach allows for the reuse of termination proofs obtained for the interpreted program as a base for termination proof of the meta-program.

Results: The research presents a methodology that allows for the performance of a correct termination analysis for a broad class of meta-interpreter programs. This methodology establishes a relationship between the ordering needed to prove termination of the interpreted program and the ordering needed to prove termination of the meta-interpreter together with this interpreted program. If such a relationship is established, termination of one of the programs implies termination of the other, i.e., the meta-interpreter preserves termination.

The research also demonstrates the applicability of the methodology by analyzing the termination of various meta-interpreters, such as proof trees, different kinds of tracers, and reasoners.

Implications: The developed methodology has significant implications for the field of meta-programming. It provides a practical and efficient way to ensure the termination of meta-interpreter programs, which is a critical aspect of their correct functioning. Furthermore, the methodology can be applied to a broad class of practical meta-interpreters, making it widely applicable within the field.

In addition, the research contributes to the ongoing efforts in the field of termination analysis by combining the transformational and direct approaches to termination analysis. This approach allows for the reuse of termination proofs, which can lead to more efficient and streamlined proofs for meta-interpreter programs.

Link to Article: https://arxiv.org/abs/0110035v2 Authors: arXiv ID: 0110035v2