Abstract
A high-level language for array and vector processors is analyzed by the methods of denotational semantics. The analysis leads to the identification of a set of primitives suitable for the portable programming of array and vector processors. Discussion of the primitives includes consideration of the efficiency with which they may be implemented on different machines, and their possible application to portable programming, the design of intermeiate languages, and the design of future array and vector processors.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
R. H. Perrott,Languages for parallel computers, inOn the Construction of Programs, eds. R. M. McKeag and A. M. Macnaghten, Cambridge University Press, 1979.
R. H. Perrott,A language for array and vector processors, ACM Trans. on Programming Languages and Systems 1, 177–195, October 1979.
R. H. Perrott,Actus—A language for array and vector processors user manual, NASA/Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. July 1979.
R. H. Perrott and D. K. Stevenson,Considerations for the design of array processing languages, Software Practice and Experience 11, 683–688, July 1981.
R. D. Tennent,The denotational semantics of programming languages, Communications of the ACM 19, 437–453, August 1976.
M. J. C. Gordon,The Denotational Description of Programming Languages: An Introduction, Springer-Verlag (New York) 1979.
J. E. Stoy,Denotational Semantics: The Scott-Strachey Approach to Programming Language Theory, The MIT Press (Cambridge and London) 1977.
R. E. Milne and C. Strachey,A Theory of Programming Language Semantics, 2 vols, Chapman and Hall (London) and John Wiley and Sons (New York), 1976.
F. G. Pagan,Algol 68 as a metalanguage for denotational semantics. Computer Journal 22, 63–66, February 1979.
Honeywell Inc., Cii Honeywell Bull and Inria,Formal definition of the Ada programming language, November 1980.
R. D. Tennent,Language design methods based on semantic principles, Acta Informatica 8, 97–112, 1977.
P. J. L. Wallis,Handling type information when compiling a language with user-defined types, Software Practice and Experience 11, 167–173, February 1981.
D. Bjørner and O. N. Oest (Editors),Towards a formal description of Ada, Lecture Notes in Computer Science No. 98, Springer-Verlag (Berlin, Heidelberg, New York), 1980.
R. M. Russell,The Cray-1 computer system, Comm. ACM 21, January 1978, 63–72.
G. H. Barnes, R. M. Brown, M. Kato, D. J. Kuck, D. L. Slotnick and R. W. Stokes,The ILLIAC IV computer, IEEE Trans. Comptr. C-17, 746–757, August 1968.
C. Wetherell,Design considerations for array processing languages, Software Practice and Experience 10, 265–271, April 1980.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wallis, P.J.L. Some primitives for the portable programming of array and vector processors. BIT 21, 436–448 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01932840
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01932840