Numerical Analysis Using Nonprocedural ParadicIMS

Abstract

This article presents a survey on the innovative features of a handful of languages that offer new features that can be valuable in numerical analysis, and a survey of the pros and cons of the languages with regards to work in numerical analysis. Language features such as polymorphism, first-class functions, and object-oriented programming offer improved writability, readability, reliability, and maintenance of computer software. The article discusses language features and uses, and includes a comparison of current implementations. It is intended both as an introduction to nonprocedural language features for persons working in numerical mathematics and as an exploration of some of the language requirements of numerical mathematics for persons working in language development. The article discusses C++, Fortran 77, Fortran 90, Haskell, Lisp/CLOS, Modula-3, Satherj and SML with respect to a variety of numerical analysis tasks: Interpolation, optimization, array access and update, iteration, recursion, random number generation, and Gaussian elimination on sparse matrices. © 1995, ACM. All rights reserved.