Whiley Compiler (WyC)

A problem I often encounter in Java is that I want to say “these two things are the same”, but Java won’t let me. Suppose I want to maintain an int[] array which is always sorted in my program. So, whenever I get one of these things, I can rely on it being sorted. Here’s . . . → Read More: Type Aliasing in Java?

Recently, I’ve been working on improving the core framework that underpins the Whiley compiler.  This provides a platform for reading/writing files of specified content in a structured fashion.  Like Java, Whiley provides a hierarchical namespace in ... [More] which names live and can be imported by others.  Let’s consider a simple example: package zlib.core import Console . . . → Read More: A Problem of Decoupling? [Less]

Over the last few days, I have been writing GIF and PNG decoders in Whiley.  These form part of an image manipulation benchmark which I’m planning to use for experimenting with the compiler.  The PNG decoder, in particular, was rather interesting. ... [More]  My implementation is based directly off the PNG Specification, ISO/IEC 15948:2003 (E). The PNG . . . → Read More: Writing a PNG Decoder in Whiley! [Less]

Designing the front-end of the Whiley Compiler (Wyc) is a somewhat delicate and complicated issue.  I have iterated on this a few times, and still not found a solution I’m happy with.  It’s important, because it ultimately determines what is possible ... [More] in terms of language syntax and what is not.  That is, when certain . . . → Read More: Design of the Whiley Compiler (Wyc) Front-End [Less]

Well, it’s been almost two months in the making, but here’s the next release of Whiley.  Quite of lot of changes, although there remain significant issues to resolve — particularly with the front-end. ChangeLog Fixed outstanding problem with list and ... [More] set types related to type tests.  More specifically, on the negative branch of a . . . → Read More: Whiley v0.3.13 Released! [Less]

Yesterday, I serendipitously came across two things which got me thinking about the future of programming languages: The first was an excellent article entitled “Welcome to the Hardware Jungle” by Herb Sutter. This article is about the coming advent ... [More] our multicore overlords. Whilst this might sound like something you’ve heard before, it’s actually well . . . → Read More: Connecting the Dots on the Future of Programming Languages [Less]

I’m always pondering the question: what makes good programming language syntax? One thing occuring to me is that many languages often ignore the HCI aspect.  For me, it’s a given that the purpose of a programming language is to simplify the ... [More] programmer’s life, not the other way around. So, I thought of a few . . . → Read More: Three Rules for Programming Language Syntax? [Less]

I’ve just finished reading this book, which I have to say was really good.  The book is about how a handful of rogue scientists deliberately spread disinformation on a range of key issues, including tobacco, acid rain, the ozone hole and climate change.  Their key strategy was to argue the science . . . → Read More: Merchants of Doubt