Revised study note on generic specifications [MB-2] installed

[pdmosses@brics.dk]

> ...
> * Parametrization, compound identifiers: Michel Bidoit is revising his
> note to take account of some comments sent to cofi-language.  The new
> version will be announced on cofi-language later this week, together
> with a concise summary of the changes.

The revised version is now installed as a Language Design Study Note
with label MB-2, available for browsing at URL:
http://www.brics.dk/Projects/CoFI/StudyNotes/Lang/MB-2.html
and for printing at URL:
ftp://ftp.brics.dk/pub/BRICS/Projects/CoFI/StudyNotes/Lang/MB-2.ps.Z,
ftp://ftp.brics.dk/pub/BRICS/Projects/CoFI/StudyNotes/Lang/MB-2.dvi.

Here is a summary of the changes made in response to the comments that
appeared on cofi-language recently:

    o All structured specification definitions are generic (parametrized)
      w.r.t. a (possibly empty) list of parameter specifications (uniformity).
    o Parameter specifications can be named or not (referential transparency).
    o Any specification can be turned into a parameter specification. There is
      no distinction between three classes of structured specifications
      (ordinary, generic, parameter) as in the previous proposal
      (homogeneity).
    o Compound sorts are monotonic w.r.t. subsorting.
    o More justifications are provided for the need of a "fixed" part in
      parameter specifications, and a new mechanism for achieving this is
      described.
    o The abstract syntax has been revised accordingly, and well-formedness
      conditions are described precisely.

Thanks to Michel for working overtime to make the revised version!

----   --------------------------------------------
\  /  | Peter D Mosses         <pdmosses@brics.dk> |
CoFI  | Common Framework Initiative  - Coordinator |
/  \  | WWW URL: http://www.brics.dk/Projects/CoFI |
----   --------------------------------------------