Action transformations in the actress compiler generator

Moura, Hermano Perrelli de; Watt, David A.

doi:10.1007/3-540-57877-3_2

Cited by 12 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…From general contextfree grammars for concrete languages we can already generate efficient parsers [15]; from equational specifications of translations from concrete constructs to funcos it is straightforward to generate translators; and from the semantic specifications of funcos we shall generate both interpreters and compiler back-ends, building on previous efforts [3,4,12,24,30].…”

Section: Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An agile approach to language modelling and development

Johnstone

Mosses

Scott

2010

Innovations Syst Softw Eng

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We have developed novel techniques for component-based specification of programming languages. In our approach, the semantics of each fundamental programming construct is specified independently, using an inherently modular framework such that no reformulation is needed when constructs are combined. A language specification consists of an unrestricted context-free grammar for the syntax of programs, together with an analysis of each language construct in terms of fundamental constructs. An open-ended collection of fundamental constructs is currently being developed. When supported by appropriate tools, our techniques allow a more agile approach to the design, modelling, and implementation of programming and domain-specific languages. In particular, our approach encourages language designers to proceed incrementally, using prototype implementations generated from specifications to test tentative designs. The components of our specifications are independent and highly reusable, so initial language specifications can be rapidly produced, and can easily evolve in response to changing design decisions. In this paper, we outline our approach, and relate it to the practices and principles of agile modelling.

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Section: Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It supports reuse [22,23,29,43,45] and compiler generation [3,12,30]. The denotations of computational constructs are so-called actions, expressed in action notation; the semantics of action notation itself was defined operationally.…”

Section: Action Semanticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An agile approach to language modelling and development

Johnstone

Mosses

Scott

2010

Innovations Syst Softw Eng

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“…Mini-∆ [MoW94] is an imperative language with procedures and functions. It allows both call-by-value and call-by-reference parameter passing.…”

Section: Simpmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natural Semantics-Directed Generation of Compilers and Abstract Machines

Diehl

2000

Form. Asp. Comput.

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In this paper we present the motivation, theory and transformations of our semantics-directed compiler generator. The main novelty of our generator is that it generates compilers and abstract machines. The execution times of the abstract machine programs produced by our generated compiler compare well to those of target programs produced by compilers generated by other semantics-directed generators. The generated specifications of compilers and abstract machines are suitable as a starting point for handwriting compilers and abstract machines. Our generator is fully automated and its core transformations are proved correct.

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“…The sort inference provides valuable information for the subsequent transformation and code generation phases; Brown and Watt [4] reported their studies of the problem of sort inference for actions at the Workshop on Action Semantics. Transformations of the intermediate action greatly improve the efficiency of the object code; Moura's PhD thesis from 1993 [51] is concerned with these transformations, as reported at CC'94 [52].…”

Section: Action Analysis and Compiler Generationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The Actress system developed by Watt's group at Glasgow provides prototype tools, reported at CC'92 [5] and CC'94 [52], for interpreting action notation and for compiling it into C. The interpreter deals with most of the standard action notation except for the communicative facet.…”

Section: Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Theory and Practice of Action Semantics

Mosses¹

1996

BRICS

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Action Semantics is a framework for the formal description of programming languages. Its main advantage over other frameworks is pragmatic: action-semantic descriptions (ASDs) scale up smoothly to realistic programming languages. This is due to the inherent extensibility and modifiability of ASDs, ensuring that extensions and changes to the described language require only proportionate changes in its description. (In denotational or operational semantics, adding an unforeseen construct to a language may require a reformulation of the entire description.) After sketching the background for the development of action semantics, we summarize the main ideas of the framework, and provide a simple illustrative example of an ASD. We identify which features of ASDs are crucial for good pragmatics. Then we explain the foundations of action semantics, and survey recent advances in its theory and practical applications. Finally, we assess the prospects for further development and use of action semantics. The action semantics framework was initially developed at the University of Aarhus by the present author, in collaboration with David Watt (University of Glasgow). Groups and individuals scattered around five continents have since contributed to its theory and practice.

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Action transformations in the actress compiler generator

Cited by 12 publications

References 11 publications

An agile approach to language modelling and development

An agile approach to language modelling and development

Natural Semantics-Directed Generation of Compilers and Abstract Machines

Theory and Practice of Action Semantics

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