Open AccessDefunctionalization at Work
Author(s) -
Olivier Danvy,
Lasse R. Nielsen
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
brics report series
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1601-5355
pISSN - 0909-0878
DOI - 10.7146/brics.v8i23.21684
Subject(s) - order (exchange) , bridge (graph theory) , correctness , computer science , mathematical proof , work (physics) , programming language , engineering , mathematics , mechanical engineering , business , medicine , geometry , finance
We study practical applications of Reynolds's defunctionalization technique, which is a whole-program transformation from higher-order to first-order functional programs. This study leads us to discover new connections between seemingly unrelated higher-order and first-order specifications and their correctness proofs. We thus perceive defunctionalization both as a springboard and as a bridge: as a springboard for discovering new connections between the first-order world and the higher-order world; and as a bridge for transferring existing results between first-order and higher-order settings.