Focussing and proof construction (Q1840461)

The foundation of the proof-construction paradigm and its central feature: non-determinism and partial information in logic programming, are discussed. A new presentation of the focussing proof system for linear logic is given. A new presentation of the ``normal form'' for linear logic, and in particular the notions of bipolarisation and universal program are introduced. A new, constraint-based approach to the proof-construction paradigm, illustrating another of its essential features: the capacity to deal with partial information, is presented.