Programming by examples

摘要

In this paper, examples of how an algorithm behaves on particular input are considered as possible means of describing the algorithm. In particular, a simple language for examples (a Computational Description Language) is presented and an algorithm for the synthesis of a procedure from a set of such example computations is described. The algorithm makes use of knowledge about variables, inputs, instructions and procedures during the synthesis process to guide the formation of a procedure. Several examples of procedures actually synthesized are discussed.