On the generation of specializers

Abstract

Self-applicable specializers have been used successfully to automate the generation of compilers. Specializers are often rather sophisticated, for which reason one would like to adapt and transform them with the aid of the computer. But how to automate this process? The answer to this question is given by three specializer projections. While the Futamura projections define the generation of compilers from interpreters, the specializer projections define the generation of specializers from interpreters. We discuss the potential applications of the specializer projections, and argue that their realization is a real touchstone for the effectiveness of the specialization principle. In particular, we discuss generic specializers, bootstrapping of subject languages and the generation of optimizing specializers from interpretive specifications. The Futamura projections are regarded as a special case of the specializer projections. Recent results confirm that the specializer projections can be performed in practice using partial evaluators. © 1994, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.