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CSE Machine

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Theoth Normie edited this page Apr 5, 2024 · 15 revisions

Overview

The CSE machine is an evaluation model for Source languages, based on Chapters 3 and 4 of Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs (SICP). It is used to evaluate programs in Source §4 Explicit-Control, as well as display the CSE Machine visualization for programs in Source §3 and Source §4.

The specific functions that implement the CSE machine can be found in src/cse-machine/interpreter.js.

Structure

The CSE machine consists of three key components:

  • Control: A stack that stores syntax tree nodes to be evaluated and instructions to be executed.

  • Stash: A stack of values that is manipulated through instructions.

  • Environment: A structure containing all bindings in the program, organized in terms of scope.

Control

The Control stack is represented by the class Control, which is an alias for Stack<ControlItem>. Each ControlItem is either:

  • A Node: an Abstract Syntax Tree node representing part of the program to be evaluated; or
  • An Instr: an instruction to be executed on the machine.

Stash

The Stash is represented by the class Stash, which is an alias for Stack<Value>. Each Value represents some intermediate value generated during evaluation of the program.

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