Macro-by-example: Deriving syntactic transformations from their specifications

ABSTRACT

This paper presents two new developments. First, it describes a “macro-by-example” specification language for syntactic abstractions in Lisp and related languages. This specification language allows a more declarative specification of macros than conventional macro facilities do by giving a better treatment of iteration and mapping constructs. Second, it gives a formal semantics for the language and a derivation of a compiler from the semantics. This derivation is a practical application of semantics-directed compiler development methodology.

REFERENCES

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.2 SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
      D.2.1 Requirements/Specifications
          Subjects: Languages

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.2 Language Classifications
          Subjects: Macro and assembly languages

General Terms:
Algorithms, Languages, Performance, Theory