An Innovative Approach to Syntax-Free Interpretation in Functional Programming Languages

Abstract

In the realm of programming languages, interpreters fundamentally rely on syntax analysis (parsing) for establishing a correct evaluation hierarchy. Traditional parsing methods, however, present limitations in terms of optimization. This study introduces an innovative approach that circumvents syntax analysis in the interpretation of functional programming languages. The proposed method employs a novel subroutine, transforming program expressions into a series of atomic expressions, herein referred to as the "molecular program." Each atomic expression within this molecular program constitutes an element of the program's lexicon, assigned a unique identifier that supplants its role in the original expression. The evaluation process adopts a recursive methodology, where the evaluation of a single variable invariably leads to the sequential evaluation of related variables. For the purposes of clarity and demonstration, this approach is exemplified using Lucid, a notable functional programming language. It is posited that this syntax-free interpretation method can be universally applied to any functional programming language that operates on the principles of expressions, functions, or formulas. The efficacy of this method is validated through rigorous testing, suggesting an enhancement in the efficiency of programming language interpretation.