< theory > A set of rules specifying how the state of an actual or hypothetical computer changes while executing a program. The overall state is typically divided into a number of components, e.g. stack , heap , register s etc. Each rule specifies certain preconditions on the contents of some components and their new contents after the application of the rule.
It is similar in spirit to the notion of a Turing machine , in which actions are precisely described in a mathematical way.
Compuare axiomatic semantics , denotational semantics .
(1996-08-21)