Call-by-name CPS-translation as a binding-time improvement

Abstract

Much attention has been given to the call-by-value continuation passing style (CBV CPS) translation as a tool in partial evaluation, but the call-by-name (CBN) CPS translation has not been investigated. We undertake a systematic investigation of the effect of CBN CPS in connection with partial evaluation and deforestation. First, we give an example where CBN CPS translation acts as a binding time improvement to achieve the effects of deforestation using partial evaluation. The same effect cannot be achieved with CBV CPS. Second, we prove formally that the CBN CPS translation together with partial evaluation has the power to achieve all the effects of deforestation. The consequence of these results is a practical tool (the CBN CPS) for improving the results of partial evaluation, as well as an improved understanding of the relation between partial evaluation and deforestation.