A partial translation path from MathLang to Isabelle
Abstract
This dissertation describes certain developments in computer techniques
formanagingmathematical knowledge. Computers currently assistmathematicians
in presenting and archiving mathematics, as well as performing
calculation and verification tasks. MathLang is a framework for computerising
mathematical documents which features new approaches to
these issues. In this dissertation, several extensions to MathLang are described:
a system and notation for annotating text; improved methods for
annotating complex mathematical expressions; and a method for creating
rules to translate document annotations. A typical MathLang work flow
for document annotation and computerisation is demonstrated, showing
how writing style can complicate the annotation process and how these
may be resolved. This workflow is compared with the standard process
for producing formal computer theories in a computer proof assistant (Isabelle
is the system we choose). The rules for translation are further discussed
as a way of producing text in the syntax of Isabelle (without a
deep knowledge of the system), with possible use cases of providing a
text which can be used either as an aid to learning Isabelle, or as a skeleton
framework to be used as a starting point for a formal document.