TDF Specification

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA238383 | Open PDF

Abstract:

TDF is an intermediate format for distributing software applications. It can be produced from a very wide range of programming languages. For expository purposes, the TDF definition is divided into three levels, referred to as Levels 0, 1 and 2. 1 Level 0 is suitable for production from ANSI C and hence any language that can sensibly be translated into ANSI C. 2 Level 1 contains more features and is suitable for a wide range of languages that do not mandate garbage collection. 3 Level 2 contains the full expressive power of TDF, including provision for garbage collection. TDF is defined in the form of a data-structure which can be thought of as an abstract syntax for programs. It contains sufficient information to allow efficient machine code to be generated from it for any computer architecture on which the software is intended to be run. For transmission, TDF is converted into a linear stream of bits. The encoding of this stream of bits is both space efficient and extensible so as to allow upwards compatibility for any future enhancements or amendments to the TDF definition.

Author(s):
Foster, J. M. ; Brandreth, M. ; Core, P. W. ; Currie, I. F. ; Peeling, N. E.
Author Organization(s):
ROYAL SIGNALS AND RADAR ESTABLISHMENT MALVERN (UNITED KINGDOM)
Pagination:
0138

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
RSRE-91005, DRIC-BR-301954
Monitor Series:
BR-301954, DRIC
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_1.3_Human Capital Management; JCA_1.3.2_Personnel Management; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_1.2.6_Concepts; JCA_4.2_Supply; JCA_6_Net Centric; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_4.2.1_Manage Supplies and Equipment; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_6.1.3_Switching and Routing; JCA_6.1_Information Transport; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_5.2.2_Develop Knowledge and Situational Awareness; JCA_5.2_Understand
Communities of Interest:
Energy and Power Technologies
Descriptor(s):
*MACHINE CODING, *PROGRAMMING MANUALS, *SYNTAX, COMPUTER ARCHITECTURE, EFFICIENCY, ABSTRACTS, UNITED KINGDOM, LANGUAGE, RANGE(EXTREMES), COLLECTION, STREAMS, GARBAGE, PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES, PRODUCTION, COMPUTER PROGRAMS, FORMATS
Field(s)/Group(s):
Computer Programming and Software
Keyword(s):
FOREIGN REPORTS
Report Date:
1990 Oct 01