Specializing Interpreters using Offline Partial Deduction

We present the latest version of the Logen partial evaluation system for logic programs. In particular we present new binding-types, and show how they can be used to effectively specialise a wide variety of interpreters.We show how to achieve Jones-optimality in a systematic way for several interpreters. Finally, we present and specialise a non-trivial interpreter for a small functional programming language. Experimental results are also presented, highlighting that the Logen system can be a good basis for generating compilers for high-level languages

Convergence of program transformers in the metric space of trees

AbstractIn recent years increasing consensus has emerged that program transformers, e.g. partial evaluation and unfold/fold transformations, should terminate; a compiler should stop even if it performs fancy optimizations! A number of techniques to ensure termination of program transformers have been invented, but their correctness proofs are sometimes long and involved. We present a framework for proving termination of program transformers, cast in the metric space of trees. We first introduce the notion of an abstract program transformer; a number of well-known program transformers can be viewed as instances of this notion. We then formalize what it means that an abstract program transformer terminates and give a general sufficient condition for an abstract program transformer to terminate. We also consider some specific techniques for satisfying the condition. As applications we show that termination of some well-known program transformers either follows directly from the specific techniques or is easy to establish using the general condition. Our framework facilitates simple termination proofs for program transformers. Also, since our framework is independent of the language being transformed, a single correctness proof can be given in our framework for program transformers that use essentially the same technique in the context of different languages. Moreover, it is easy to extend termination proofs for program transformers to accommodate changes to these transformers. Finally, the framework may prove useful for designing new termination techniques for program transformers

Translucent Procedures, Abstraction without Opacity

This report introduces TRANSLUCENT PROCEDURES as a new mechanism for implementing behavioral abstractions. Like an ordinary procedure, a translucent procedure can be invoked, and thus provides an obvious way to capture a BEHAVIOR. Translucent procedures, like ordinary procedures, can be manipulated as first-class objects and combined using functional composition. But unlike ordinary procedures, translucent procedures have structure that can be examined in well-specified non-destructive ways, without invoking the procedure

Slivers, computational modularity via synchronized lazy aggregates

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1994.Includes bibliographical references (p. 435-442).by Farnklyn Albin Turbak.Ph.D

Customizable program analysis via generic abstract interpretation

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 1999.Includes bibliographical references (p. 419-420).by Nathaniel D. Osgood.Ph.D