On the Development of the Algebra of Functional Programs

The development of the algebraic approach to reasoning about functional programs that was introduced by Backus in his Turing Award Lecture is furthered. Precise definitions for the foundations on which the algebra is based are given, and some new expansion theorems that broaden the class of functions for which this approach is applicable are proved. In particular, the class of "overruntolerant" forms, nonlinear forms that include some of the familiar divide-and-conquer program schemes, are defined; an expansion theorem for such forms is proved; and that theorem is used to show how to derive expansions for some programs deemed by nonlinear forms.