The design of a prototyping programming language for parallel and sequential algorithms
Lars S. Nyland · 1991
Prototyping of computer programs is an exploration process. The specifications, whether written down or merely imagined, are often incomplete, and answers must be found to complete the specification. The prototyping process is used for the express purpose of gaining knowledge to complete the specifications. This thesis is a presentation of a programming-language for prototyping sequential and parallel algorithms. The language is called CPL, which stands for a Common Prototyping Language. The goals of a prototyping language are to allow a programmer to quickly explore an algorithm, be it sequential or parallel. Several programming styles are examined, the programming language is described in detail, and then an examination of how the language fits particular styles is made. Several examples of modern algorithms are described, showing the effectiveness of CPL and prototyping (two of the algorithms required repairs). The distinguishing characteristics of the language are many. A strong d...