MDL(ID:4116/mdl003)

Machine Definition Language 

for Machine Definition Language

Bolton and Goguen Toronto University 1979
References:
  • Goguen, J. R. "On the automatic translation of intermediate-level program to machine languages,*' PhD Thesis, Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Univ. of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada, 1978. view details
  • Boswell, G. T., review of Boulton and Goguen view details Extract: Review
    This paper provides an informal summary of a machine description language (MDL) which is intended as a vehicle for defining a conventional computer for an algorithmic code generator. The language does not provide for a description of I/O aspects of a computer and does not support features required for describing high-level language machines. The reviewed paper provides examples of the language but does not define the language. For a formal definition, the reader is referred to the PhD thesis of one of the authors [1].
    It is claimed that MDL is well suited for the intended application in the algorithmic generation of code emitters, but unfortunately, the paper provides no discussion of MDL's use in this role.
    G. T. Boswell, Dallas, Texas
    REFERENCE
    [1] GOGUEN, J. R. "On the automatic translation of intermediate-level program to machine languages,*' PhD Thesis, Dept. of Electrical Engineering, Univ. of Toronto, Toronto, Ont., Canada, 1978.

          in ACM Computing Reviews 20(12) December 1979 view details
  • Boulton, P. I. P.; and Goguen, J. R. "A machine description language" pp132-135 view details Abstract: This paper describes a machine description language (MDL) which may be used to describe the programming properties of many currently available computers. These descriptions are intended as input to an algorithmic code emitter generator. The machine descriptions are hierarchical, with the operand addressing properties separated out from instruction formal and instruction semantics specifications. Consequently, the descriptions are relatively concise and readily understandable. The development of this language is seen as a contribution to the automatic generation of compiler code emitters and to program portability.
          in The Computer Journal 22(02) (May 1979) view details