Exploring Relationships between Syntax and Semantics of a Process-Oriented Language by Category Theory

Recent research findings demonstrate that process-oriented programming languages provide a suitable means to develop concurrent systems. In this paper, we propose to use mandatory/optional trace sets to model the semantics of a process-oriented programming language named Erasmus. Inspired by Hoare's view of category theory and obtained research results towards validating the view, category theory is used to explore relationships between syntax and semantics of Erasmus. To illustrate the research activities, several examples are developed. In doing so, it is shown that a relationship between Erasmus commands can lead to a corresponding relationship between semantics for commands.