The Dynamic Incremental Compiler of APL\3000
Ronald L. Johnston · ACM SIGAPL APL Quote Quad · 1979
Most APL implementations to date have been interpretive because of the dynamic nature of the language. APL\3000 employs a Dynamic Incremental Compiler to allow all the flexibility of change afforded by interpretation, but giving the added bonus of faster execution for programs run more than once. APL\3000 compiles code on a statement-by-statement basis as needed, saving the code and reusing it where possible. A statement is recompiled only when made necessary by changes in syntax or changes in variable bindings. The compiler produces optimized code by employing the Abrams techniques of Drag-along and Beating.