Interlisp-VAX(ID:6817/int029)

Interlisp running under VAX
Related languages
INTERLISP-10 => Interlisp-VAX   Influence
INTERLISP-D => Interlisp-VAX   Influence
MultiLisp => Interlisp-VAX   Influence
References:
  • Dyer, D.; Balzer, B.; Bates, R.; Koomen, H.; Lynch, D.: InterLISP-VAX Pre-Announcement, Inform. Sciences Institute, InterLISP Project, Marina del Rey, July 17, 1981 view details
  • Masinter, L.; InterLISP-VAX: A Report, Xerox Parc, Palo Alto, 1 Aug. 1981 view details Abstract: This paper presents some of the issues involved in implementing Interlisp [19] on a VAX computer [24] with the goal of producing a version that runs under UNIX[17], specifically Berkeley VM/UNIX. This implementation has the following goals: ? To be compatible with and functionally equivalent to Interlisp-10. ? To serve as a basis for future Interlisp implementations on other mainframe computers. This goal requires that the implementation to be portable. ? To support a large virtual address space. ? To achieve a reasonable speed. The implemention draws directly from three sources, Interlisp-10 [19], Interlisp-D [5], and Multilisp [12]. Interlisp-10, the progenitor of all Interlisps, runs on the PDP-10 under the TENEX [2] and TOPS-20 operating systems. Interlisp-D, developed at Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, runs on personal computers also developed at PARC. Multilisp, developed at the University of British Columbia, is a portable interpreter containing a kernel of Interlisp, written in Pascal [9] and running on the IBM Series/370 and the VAX. The Interlisp-VAX implementation relies heavily on these implementations. In turn, Interlisp-D and Multilisp were developed from The Interlisp Virtual Machine Specification [15] by J Moore (subsequently referred to as the VM specification), which discusses what is needed to implement an Interlisp by describing an Interlisp Virtual Machine from the implementors' point of view. Approximately six man-years of effort have been spent exclusively in developing Interlisp-VAX, plus the benefit of many years of development for the previous Interlisp implementations.
  • Masinter, Larry M. "Interlisp-VAX: a report" Report Number: CS-TR-81-879 Stanford University, Department of Computer Science August 1981 view details Abstract: This report documents the results of a study to evaluate the feasibility of implementing the Interlisp language to run on the DEC VAX computer. Specific goals of the study were to: 1) assess the technical status of the on-going implementation project at USC-ISI; 2) estimate the expected performance of Interlisp on the VAX famility of machines as compared to Interlisp-10, other Lisp systems for the VAX, and other Interlisp implementations where performance data were available; and 3) identify serious obstacles and alternatives to the timely completion of an effective Interlisp-VAX system.
    External link: Online copy pdf
  • Raymond L. Bates, David Dyer, Johannes A. G. M. Koomen "Implementation of Interlisp on the VAX" pp81-87 view details Extract: Anecdote
    History of the Project

    A few years ago the research community ceased to consider Interlisp-10 a useful research vehicle because of its limited address space. A search began to provide a new LISP environment powerful enough to support current and future research. There was considerable discussion of abandoning the Interlisp dialect entirely in favor of Maclisp [14], LISP Machine LISP [25], NIL [26], or Common LISP. The choice of LISP dialect would to some ex. tent dictate the choice of hardware. Potentially attractive hardware were the CADR [11] (MIT LISP Machines) and Xerox 1100 Scientific Information Processors (Interlisp-D machines, also known as Dolphins or D0's). Both are personal LISP machines. Also considered were machines not specifically oriented toward LISP. They included the PERQ and the PRIME (both personal machines), as well as the M68000.based personal machines, which were promised to be available "soon." The high cost and unpredictable future of each of these personal machines were strong influences against their selection. The new feature of extended addressing on TOPS.20 was also considered and rejected as the basis for a new LISP implementation on the PDP-10. The DEC VAX computer was selected as the machine to host the new Interlisp for several reasons. It has become an extremely popular machine, especially for universities and research facilities.

    Although each of the alternative hardwares has acquired a user community, none approaches the popularity of the VAX. The VAX family of computers promises to have a long life, to be widely available, to be extensively supported, and to have a wide variety of price and performance ranges. It is anticipated that the family will be extended both up in performance and down in price. All of these characteristics enhance the usefulness and longevity of Interlisp.VAX compared to the alternatives. In June 1980 serious work began on the development and implementation of an Interlisp compatible with the VAX series of computers. Initially, most of the effort was directed at the planning and detailed design of the implementation of various critical parts. By the end of the year, the writing of code specific to Interlisp-VAX was begun. Using the Multilisp system as a template, a new Interlisp kernel was developed in the language C [10]. In parallel, the existing Interlisp compiler was modified to produce VAX code. Both of these tasks were essentially completed by August 1981. Since the beginning of 1981, various parts of the existing Interlisp code have been adapted or rewritten to fit the VAX-UNIX mold. Currently the project is substantially completed. The first release of the Interlisp-VAX system was made publicly available in March 1982.
          in [ACM] Proceedings of the 1982 ACM Conference on LISP and Functional Programming, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States view details