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A portable virtual machine for Ada
Author(s) -
Ibsen Leif
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
software: practice and experience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 70
eISSN - 1097-024X
pISSN - 0038-0644
DOI - 10.1002/spe.4380140104
Subject(s) - software portability , virtual finite state machine , computer science , compiler , virtual machine , programming language , operating system , code (set theory) , machine code , embedded system , software engineering , set (abstract data type)
A portable compiler can be constructed by letting it generate code for a virtual machine, which is then implemented on the real target machines. The design of a virtual machine which is especially suitable as a target machine for compiled Ada programs is described. The main design goals, implementability on mini‐computers and portability, are discussed and the resulting design is described in some detail. Some implementation strategies for the machine are proposed and the feasibility of the virtual machine approach is discussed.