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Time required for reference count management in retention block-structured languages. Part 1

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Abstract

In this paper, two implementations of generalized block-structured languages are presented and their time requirements compared. One implementation, the lifetime stack model (LSM), implements the deletion strategy with lifetime checks; the other, the partial reference count contour machine (PRCCM), implements the retention strategy. For a large subset of the lifetime well-stacking programs, which are precisely those that run correctly on the first model, the two models are shown to require nearly the same order of magnitude of time. The use of full-label values is shown to have a detrimental effect on the time efficiency of the latter model. Part 1, in this issue, gives a general description of the machines and part of their definitions, and proves the results. Part 2, in the next issue, serving as an appendix to Part 1, contains most of the formal definitions of the machines.

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Supported [in part] by the National Science Foundation, Grant No. DCR75-08659.

Note:DSIPL is used for Proceedings of ACM Symposium on Data Structures in Programming Languages, SIGPLAN Notices, Vol. 65 No. 2 (February 1971).

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Berry, D.M., Chirica, L.M., Johnston, J.B. et al. Time required for reference count management in retention block-structured languages. Part 1. International Journal of Computer and Information Sciences 7, 11–64 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00991939

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00991939

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