Compilation of Head and Strong Reduction

Functional language compilers implement only weak-head reduction. However, there are cases where head normal forms or full normal forms are needed. Here, we study how to use cps conversion for the compilation of head and strong reductions. We apply cps expressions to a special continuation so that their head or strong normal form can be obtained by the usual weak-head reduction. We remain within the funcramework and no special abstract machine is needed. Used as a preliminary step our method allows a standard compiler to evaluate under 's.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 1994
• Where: ESOP
• Authors: Pascal Fradet
• Keywords: ESOP 1994, Head Normal Forms, Normal Form, Programming Languages, Weak-head Reduction