Design and implementation of a generalized user-oriented input-data error detecting language

Abstract

A generalized, user-oriented, nonprocedural programming language has been developed. This language, called FINDER (Find Input Data Errors), is natural, simple to use and comprehensive in the variety of error detection checks which may be specified. With FINDER, the user may request that the input-data be subjected to such well-known validation procedures as existence checks, completeness checks, comparison checks, combination checks and reasonableness checks. Also, batch control checks such as control totals, record counts and sequence checks may be specified. A BNF description of the FINDER syntax is provided. The description of an experimental implementation of a large subset of FINDER is presented. This prototype implementation is designed to evaluate the feasibility of the language and provide a vehicle for its experimental use. The FINDER processor is written in FORTRAN IV and produces machine-independent FORTRAN IV target code. The processor uses a transition diagram approach to determine if each incoming source statement is syntactically valid. As each statement is recognized the essential elements and descriptive information for the statement are used to build intermediate tables and lists. These tables and lists are used by the code generating routines to emit the FORTRAN target code. ...