Accession Number:

ADA048638

Title:

Interpretive Machines.

Descriptive Note:

Technical rept,

Corporate Author:

STANFORD UNIV CALIF STANFORD ELECTRONICS LABS

Personal Author(s):

• Iliffe,John K.

Report Date:

1977-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

44.0

Abstract:

The lectures survey attempts to apply computers directly to high level languages using microprogrammed interpreters. The motivation for such work is to achieve language implementations that are more effective in some measure of translation, execution or response to the user than would otherwise be obtained. The implied comparison is with the established technique of compiling into a fixed general-purpose machine code prior to execution. It is argued that while substantial benefits can be expected from microprogramming it does not represent the best approach to design when the contributing factors are analysed in a general system context, that is to say when wide performance range, multiple source language, and stringent security requirements have to be satisfied. An alternative is suggested, using a combination of interpretive and a primitive instruction set and providing security at the microprogram level. Author

Descriptors:

• *COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
• *HIGH LEVEL LANGUAGES
• *INTERPRETERS
• CONTROL SYSTEMS
• COST ANALYSIS
• COMPUTER LOGIC
• COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE
• MEMORY DEVICES
• DATA STORAGE SYSTEMS
• MACHINE CODING
• MICROPROGRAMMING
• REGISTERS(CIRCUITS)

Subject Categories:

• Computer Programming and Software
• Computer Hardware

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE