Abstract Many Pascal compilers generate incorrect code for statements. The trap that catches many implementors, whereby overflow is generated incorrectly, is explained and means for avoiding it are discussed (with attention to cost). Most common languages have a similar construct in which iteration is ‘controlled’ by a sequence of values in that a variable takes on successive values of the sequence for the several executions of the ‘body’. Often, the size step is not restricted to plus‐or‐minus one (as in Pascal) and the correctness situation cannot be characterized in such black and white terms. Typically, there is a range of behaviours that are valid and the compiler writer is able to choose a compromise between time‐space overheads and avoidance of unnecessary overflow indications; we describe the latter behaviour as robust. We present techniques for implementation appropriate to several languages and direct comments at language designers warning against both ignoring and overestimating the cost of robustly implementing iteration statements with arbitrary step size. Lastly, we criticize the design of instructions available in some machines, ostensibly to support the implementation of such sequence controlled iteration statements.

Article Free Access Share on A Metalanguage for interactive proof in LCF Authors: M. Gordon University of Edinburgh University of EdinburghView Profile , R. Milner University of Edinburgh University of EdinburghView Profile , L. Morris Syracuse University Syracuse UniversityView Profile , M. Newey Australian National University Australian National UniversityView Profile , C. Wadsworth University of Edinburgh University of EdinburghView Profile Authors Info & Claims POPL '78: Proceedings of the 5th ACM SIGACT-SIGPLAN symposium on Principles of programming languagesJanuary 1978Pages 119–130https://doi.org/10.1145/512760.512773Published:01 January 1978Publication History 55citation684DownloadsMetricsTotal Citations55Total Downloads684Last 12 Months96Last 6 weeks5 Get Citation AlertsNew Citation Alert added!This alert has been successfully added and will be sent to:You will be notified whenever a record that you have chosen has been cited.To manage your alert preferences, click on the button below.Manage my AlertsNew Citation Alert!Please log in to your account Save to BinderSave to BinderCreate a New BinderNameCancelCreateExport CitationPublisher SiteeReaderPDF

Abstract This paper discusses the use of abstract machine modelling as a technique for producing portable software, i.e. software which can be moved readily from one computer to another. An overview of the principles involved is presented and a critical examination made of three existing abstract machines which were used respectively to implement a macro processor, a text editor and a BASIC compiler.