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arXiv:2310.04368cs.PL

A Core Calculus for Documents

Will Crichton, Shriram Krishnamurthi

Abstract

Passive documents and active programs now widely comingle. Document languages include Turing-complete programming elements, and programming languages include sophisticated document notations. However, there are no formal foundations that model these languages. This matters because the interaction between document and program can be subtle and error-prone. In this paper we describe several such problems, then taxonomize and formalize document languages as levels of a document calculus. We employ the calculus as a foundation for implementing complex features such as reactivity, as well as for proving theorems about the boundary of content and computation. We intend for the document calculus to provide a theoretical basis for new document languages, and to assist designers in cleaning up the unsavory corners of existing languages.

arXiv comments
Published at POPL 2024
Journal reference
DOI
doi:10.1145/3632865
Subjects
cs.PLProgramming Languages

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Linked by 2 identifiable commenters in 2 comments across 1 thread, from Oct 2023 to Oct 2023. Found in 1 HN submission from Aug 2025 to Aug 2025. Open submission discussions.

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  1. Nota is a language for writing documents, like academic papers and blog posts 2 comments

    • Hi, Nota creator here. A high-level comment: After developing the initial prototype you see in the webpage, I've since gone back to the drawing board. I'm working on developing a firmer foundation for issues like: - How do you interleave content and computation? See…

      wcrichtonView on HNParent context

    • > https://arxiv.org/abs/2310.04368 Did you use Nota to write this paper?

      sampoView on HNParent context

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