Denotational Semantics: an Unbalanced Perspective

Professor Gordon Plotkin ( Department of Computer Science, University of Edinburgh )

Christopher Strachey and Dana Scott created the subject of the denotational semantics of programming languages around 1969. The subject is both broad and deep, ranging from the mathematical theory of domains, through the study of programming languages, to practical application. We give a personal perspective on its progress. While much fine work has been done, one can question how balanced the development has been. Would it have made Strachey happy?