A generative methodology for the design of abstract machines

In this paper we demonstrate how to use a semantics-directed generator to systematically design abstract machines. The main novelty of the generator is that it generates compilers and abstract machines. The generator is fully automated and its core transformations are proved correct. In this paper we propose a design methodology based on our generator and as an example we design a functional abstract machine which turns out to be very similar to the categorial abstract machine. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.