Lambda: The Ultimate Imperative
Abstract
This report demonstrates how to model the following common programming constructs in terms of an applicative order language similar to LISP: Simple Recursion; Iteratiion; Compound Statements and Expressions; GO TO and Assignment; Continuation-Passing; Escape Expressions; Fluid Variables; and Call by Name, Call by Need, and Call by reference. The models require only (possibly self-referent) lambda application, conditionals, and (rarely) assignment. No complex data structures such as stacks are used. The models are transparent, involving only local syntactic transformations. Some of these models, such as those for GO TO and assignment, are already well known, and appear in the work of Landin, Reynolds, and others. The models for escape expressions, fluid variables, and call by need with the side effects are new. This paper is partly tutorial in intent, gathering all the models together for purposes of context.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA030751
Entities
People
- Gerald Jay Sussman
- Guy Lewis Steele Jr.
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology