A functional intermediate form for diverse source languages

ABSTRACT

This paper describes the use of WatIF, a simple compiler intermediate form based on the λ-calculus, for writing compiler front-ends for a wide range of programming languages. Somewhat similar intermediate forms have been previously used for single-language compilers, but applicability to such a range of languages has not been previously reported. Examples of code generated by front-ends for several languages show the large set of application-language features supported by WatIF.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.4 Processors
          Subjects: Translator writing systems and compiler generators

Additional Classification:
  D. Software
  D.3 PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
      D.3.4 Processors
          Subjects: Preprocessors; Compilers; Code generation

  F. Theory of Computation
  F.4 MATHEMATICAL LOGIC AND FORMAL LANGUAGES
      F.4.1 Mathematical Logic
          Subjects: Lambda calculus and related systems

General Terms:
Algorithms, Design, Experimentation, Languages, Measurement, Theory