[1] Semantics assigns computational meaning to valid strings in a programming language syntax.
It is closely related to, and often crosses over with, the semantics of mathematical proofs.
Semantics describes the processes a computer follows when executing a program in that specific language.
In 1967, Robert W. Floyd published the paper Assigning meanings to programs; his chief aim was "a rigorous standard for proofs about computer programs, including proofs of correctness, equivalence, and termination".
[5] The field of formal semantics encompasses all of the following: It has close links with other areas of computer science such as programming language design, type theory, compilers and interpreters, program verification and model checking.