Experiences with an icon-like expression evaluation system

The design of the Icon programming language's expression evaluation system, which can perform limited backtracking, was unique amongst imperative programming languages when created. In this paper I explain and critique the original Icon design and show how a similar system can be integrated into a modern dynamically typed language. Finally I detail my experiences of this system and offer suggestions for the lessons to be learned from it. Categories and Subject Descriptors D.3.3 [Programming Languages]: Language Constructs and Features General Terms Languages Keywords Language design, Icon, Converge

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2010
• Where: DLS
• Authors: Laurence Tratt
• Keywords: DLS 2010, Dynamically Typed Language, Keywords Language Design, Languages, Original Icon Design