A dynamic compiler for Scheme

Type of content
Theses / Dissertations
Publisher's DOI/URI
Thesis discipline
Computer Science
Degree name
Master of Science
Publisher
University of Canterbury. Computer Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Language
Date
1995
Authors
Emberson, Mark Alexander Hugh
Abstract

Traditionally, dynamically-typed languages have been difficult to compile efficiently. This thesis explores dynamic compilation, a recently developed technique for compiling dynamically-typed languages. A dynamic compiler compiles and optimizes programs as they execute, using information collected from the running program to perform optimizations that are impossible to perform in a conventional batch compiler. To explore these techniques we developed SKI, a dynamic compiler for Scheme. Tests on programs compiled by SKI, have shown that dynamic compilation techniques can give a substantial increase in the performance Scheme programs. In some cases they can increase performance by up to 400%.

Description
Citation
Keywords
Ngā upoko tukutuku/Māori subject headings
ANZSRC fields of research
Rights
Copyright Mark Alexander Hugh Emberson