MBALM(ID:5122/mba002)

Microprogrammed BALM 

for Microprogrammed BALM

Definition set for BALM for the LOIS system
Related languages
BALM4 => MBALM   Spec written in
MBALM => MBALM/1700   Implementation of
References:
  • R. Paige, "An MBALM to 6600 translator," M.S. Thesis, Courant Institute, 1972. view details
  • Malcolm C. Harrison "A language-oriented instruction set for the BALM language" International Symposium on Microarchitecture 1973, Harriman, New York, United States view details Abstract: The availability of microprogramming has increased interest in the design of instruction sets which are oriented towards particular higher-level languages (see (1), for example). We will refer to these as language-oriented instruction sets (or LOISs). In this paper we give a formal definition of a LOIS for the extendable language BALM. This LOIS, which we call MBALM, is used as the basis of the implementation of the current version of the language, BALM4. We will also compare two implementations of the MBALM instruction set, and outline briefly our experiences with them. The external description of BALM4 is given in detail elsewhere (2,3). Briefly, it is an extendable language with an Algol-like syntax and data-types integer, real, logical, string, pair (list), vector, identifier, procedure, and label. Type information is carried with all data-objects, and run-time type testing and conversion is done when necessary. Garbage collection and a run-time compiler are significant attributes of the system. Outlined below are some of the properties of the implementation, which was designed initially for reasons of simplicity and flexibility, but which illustrate some of the advantages of a LOIS-based system.
  • Griss, M.L.; Swanson, M.R.: MBALM/1700: A Microprogrammed LISP Machine for the Burroughs B1726 view details Abstract: This paper describes the implementation of BALM and LISP processors for the Burroughs B1726 computer. The processors consist of an interpreter of MBALM pseudo-code (written in MIL), and a compiler from BALM or LISP to MBALM code (written in BALM or LISP). Of particular interest is the modular design of the interpreter, and the techniques used to evaluate and improve the size and speed of the machine. The current system is interactive, with incremental function compilation, compacting garbage collector, and virtual storage organization.
          in Proceedings of the 10th Annual Microprogramming Workshop, MICRO-10, 1977 view details
  • Griss, M.L.: MBALM/BIL - A Portable LISP Interpreter, Univ. of Utah, Symbolic Comp. Group, Op. Note 38, Salt Lake City, March 1978 view details
          in Proceedings of the 10th Annual Microprogramming Workshop, MICRO-10, 1977 view details
  • Griss, M.L.; Swanson, M.R.: MBALM/1700: A Microprogrammed LISP Machine for the Burroughs B1726, Univ. of Utah, Computer Science Dep., Salt Lake City, 1979 view details
          in Proceedings of the 10th Annual Microprogramming Workshop, MICRO-10, 1977 view details