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Calculating correct compilers

Part of: JFP Research Articles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 September 2015

PATRICK BAHR  and
GRAHAM HUTTON
PATRICK BAHR
Affiliation:
Department of Computer Science, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (e-mail: [email protected])
GRAHAM HUTTON
Affiliation:
School of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, UK (e-mail: [email protected])
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Abstract

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In this article, we present a new approach to the problem of calculating compilers. In particular, we develop a simple but general technique that allows us to derive correct compilers from high-level semantics by systematic calculation, with all details of the implementation of the compilers falling naturally out of the calculation process. Our approach is based upon the use of standard equational reasoning techniques, and has been applied to calculate compilers for a wide range of language features and their combination, including arithmetic expressions, exceptions, state, various forms of lambda calculi, bounded and unbounded loops, non-determinism and interrupts. All the calculations in the article have been formalised using the Coq proof assistant, which serves as a convenient interactive tool for developing and verifying the calculations.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Functional Programming , Volume 25 , 2015 , e14
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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