Types are calling conventions

It is common for compilers to derive the calling convention of a function from its type. Doing so is simple and modular but misses many optimisation opportunities, particularly in lazy, higher-order functional languages with extensive use of currying. We restore the lost opportunities by defining Strict Core, a new intermediate language whose type system makes the missing distinctions: laziness is explicit, and functions take multiple arguments and return multiple results. Categories and Subject Descriptors D.3.1 [Programming Languages]: Formal Definitions and Theory – Semantics; D.3.2 [Programming Languages]: Language Classifications – Applicative (functional) languages; D.3.4 [Programming Languages]: Processors – Optimization General Terms Languages, Performance

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2009
• Where: HASKELL
• Authors: Maximilian C. Bolingbroke, Simon L. Peyton Jones
• Keywords: Calling Convention, General Terms Languages, HASKELL 2009, Programming Languages