Operational Semantics

Definition ∞ Operational Semantics provides a formal mathematical description of how a programming language or system behaves during execution. It precisely defines the meaning of program constructs by specifying their effects on the system’s state. In the context of smart contracts and blockchain protocols, operational semantics ensures that the execution of code is unambiguous and predictable across all network participants. This rigorous definition is essential for verifying correctness and security in decentralized applications.
Context ∞ The formal verification of smart contracts often relies heavily on well-defined operational semantics to prevent vulnerabilities and unintended behaviors. News reports on critical bugs in blockchain protocols frequently trace issues back to ambiguities in their operational semantics. Researchers are continually advancing methods for applying operational semantics to new distributed ledger technologies, enhancing their reliability.