Accession Number:

AD0647601

Title:

THE STRUCTURE OF A LISP SYSTEM USING TWO-LEVEL STORAGE

Descriptive Note:

Intrerim scientific rept.

Corporate Author:

BOLT BERANEK AND NEWMAN INC CAMBRIDGE MA

Personal Author(s):

• Bobrow, Daniel G.
• Murphy, Daniel L.

Report Date:

1966-11-04

Pagination or Media Count:

26.0

Abstract:

In an ideal list-processing system there would be enough core memory to contain all the data and programs. The paper describes a number of techniques used to build a LISP system which utilizes a drum for its principal storage medium, with a surprisingly low time-penalty for use of this slow storage device. The techniques include careful segmentation of system programs, allocation of virtual memory to allow address arithmetic for type determination, and a special algorithm for building reasonably linearized lists. A scheme is described for binding variables which is good in this environment and allows for complete compatibility between compiled and interpreted programs with no special declarations.

Descriptors:

• *MEMORY DEVICES
• *PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES
• COMPUTER PROGRAMS
• DATA STORAGE SYSTEMS

Subject Categories:

• Computer Programming and Software
• Computer Hardware

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE