doc-src/Intro/intro.tex
changeset 14148 6580d374a509
parent 9695 ec7d7f877712
child 30118 df610709eda5
--- a/doc-src/Intro/intro.tex	Wed Aug 13 17:24:59 2003 +0200
+++ b/doc-src/Intro/intro.tex	Wed Aug 13 17:44:01 2003 +0200
@@ -31,6 +31,16 @@
 \pagestyle{empty}
 \begin{titlepage}
 \maketitle 
+\emph{Note}: this document is part of the earlier Isabelle documentation, 
+which is largely superseded by the Isabelle/HOL
+\emph{Tutorial}~\cite{isa-tutorial}. It describes the old-style theory 
+syntax and shows how to conduct proofs using the 
+ML top level. This style of interaction is largely obsolete:
+most Isabelle proofs are now written using the Isar 
+language and the Proof General interface. However, this paper contains valuable 
+information that is not available elsewhere. Its examples are based 
+on first-order logic rather than higher-order logic.
+
 \thispagestyle{empty}
 \vfill
 {\small Copyright \copyright{} \number\year{} by Lawrence C. Paulson}
@@ -58,12 +68,13 @@
 several generic tools, such as simplifiers and classical theorem provers,
 which can be applied to object-logics.
 
+Isabelle is a large system, but beginners can get by with a small
+repertoire of commands and a basic knowledge of how Isabelle works.  
+The Isabelle/HOL \emph{Tutorial}~\cite{isa-tutorial} describes how to get started. Advanced Isabelle users will benefit from some
+knowledge of Standard~\ML{}, because Isabelle is written in \ML{};
 \index{ML}
-Isabelle is a large system, but beginners can get by with a small
-repertoire of commands and a basic knowledge of how Isabelle works.  Some
-knowledge of Standard~\ML{} is essential, because \ML{} is Isabelle's user
-interface.  Advanced Isabelle theorem proving can involve writing \ML{}
-code, possibly with Isabelle's sources at hand.  My book
+if you are prepared to writing \ML{}
+code, you can get Isabelle to do almost anything.  My book
 on~\ML{}~\cite{paulson-ml2} covers much material connected with Isabelle,
 including a simple theorem prover.  Users must be familiar with logic as
 used in computer science; there are many good
@@ -83,8 +94,10 @@
 treatment of quantifiers.  The 1988 version added limited polymorphism and
 support for natural deduction.  The 1989 version included a parser and
 pretty printer generator.  The 1992 version introduced type classes, to
-support many-sorted and higher-order logics.  The current version provides
-greater support for theories and is much faster.  Isabelle is still under
+support many-sorted and higher-order logics.  The 1994 version introduced
+greater support for theories.  The most important recent change is the
+introduction of the Isar proof language, thanks to Markus Wenzel.  
+Isabelle is still under
 development and will continue to change.
 
 \subsubsection*{Overview} 
@@ -101,7 +114,7 @@
 
 \subsubsection*{Acknowledgements} 
 Tobias Nipkow contributed most of the section on defining theories.
-Stefan Berghofer and Sara Kalvala suggested improvements.
+Stefan Berghofer, Sara Kalvala and Viktor Kuncak suggested improvements.
 
 Tobias Nipkow has made immense contributions to Isabelle, including the parser
 generator, type classes, and the simplifier.  Carsten Clasohm and Markus