Essential language el(α)—a reduced expression set language for system programming
Tan Watanabe, Kazuko Sakuma, Hideyuki Arai, Kohbun Umetani · ACM SIGPLAN Notices · 1991
Essential Language el(α) is developed as a "Reduced Expression Set Language" which is simple and yet satisfies conditions for efficient programming and efficient execution. The grammar of el(α) is determined by unifying a machine model applicable to almost all computers and a language model with features essential for system programming. Much efforts are exerted to make the language machine independent and to eliminate execution-time overhead. Its simple syntax drawn in 2 diagrams covers from the module interface specifications to low level operations required for embedded software. Descriptive power of the language and object code efficiency of the compiler are certified by its applications for production programming.