Compile-time meta-programming in a dynamically typed OO language.

Tratt, Laurence (2005) Compile-time meta-programming in a dynamically typed OO language. In: Dynamic language symposium, 2005. Association for Computing Machinery (ACM Portal), New York, pp. 49-64. . [Book Section]

Preview

PDF Download (291kB) | Preview

Abstract

Compile-time meta-programming allows programs to be constructed by the user at compile-time. Although LISP derived languages have long had such facilities, few modern
languages are capable of compile-time meta-programming,
and of those that do many of the most powerful are statically typed functional languages. In this paper I present the dynamically typed object orientated language Converge which allows compile-time meta-programming in the spirit of Template Haskell. Converge demonstrates that integrating powerful, safe compile-time meta-programming features into a dynamic language requires few restrictions to the flexible development style facilitated by the paradigm. In this paper I detail Converge’s compile-time meta-programming facilities, much of which is adapted from Template Haskell, contain several features new to the paradigm. Finally I explain how such a facility might be integrated into similar languages.

Actions (login required)

View Item

Statistics

DownloadsShow export options

Export as CSVXMLJSON

Activity Overview

6 month trend

494Downloads

6 month trend

429Hits

Additional statistics are available via IRStats2.