Analyses of a model-based real-time language embedded in C++

Abstract

Real-time languages found in the literature, starting with Esterel up to Timed C, cannot be compiled using off-the-shelf C++ compilers and processed by off-the-shelf C++ tools (e.g., editors, debuggers, program analyzers). Since C++ is one of the de facto languages to program real-time systems, recently Tice has been proposed as a real-time language that is embedded in C++ by means of TMP (template metaprogramming) so that the experience of programming in Tice is the experience of using an ordinary C++ library, and as such, Tice programs are compilable and processable using off-the-shelf C++ compilers and tools. The proposal, however, only described Tice syntax, semantics, and the compile-time model analyses performed by the language implementation without addressing practical compilation times, which could prevent wide-spread adoption. Considering its novelty, potential industrial impact, and the implementation's repository being public, we analyzed its time complexity and validated our analyses empirically by using GCC and Clang, the widely available industrial off-the-shelf compilers. Furthermore, during analysis we learned the engineering techniques that likely shorten compilation times and make the complex language implementation possible. This paper presents our analyses, their empirical validations, and the engineering techniques learned.