An abstract programming language and correctness proofs

The realization of an abstract programming language is a good approach for automating the software production process and facilitating the correctness proof of a software system.

This paper introduces a formal language for programming at the abstract level by combining Pascal with VDM (Vienna Development Method). The notation provided by the language obliges programmers to consider the correctness of programs throughout the whole process of programming, and the proof axiom and rules presented in this paper may be used to prove the correctness of programs. A complete example is given to illustrate how to program using APL and how to prove the correctness of programs using the given axiom and rules.