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Concurrency and Functions: Evaluation and Reduction

Objetivo

The main goal is to create the basis for uniting the two areas of functional and concurrent computation. We shall bring together these two paradigms of computer science both in theory and in practice. The main objectives are the areas in which coordinated research is needed, and in which major advances in technology can be expected by this Consortium:

- Foundational Models and Abstract Machines - to develop common platforms for semantics and for implementations.
- Calculi - to develop the theory of those calculi already proposed, to determine their expressive power and to develop systematically their interrelation.
- Logics for Concurrency and the Lambda-calculus - to further develop logics for stating properties of and reasoning about systems.
- Programming Languages - the design and experimental implementation of practical programming languages combining concurrency and the Lambda-calculus.
The areas of functional and concurrent computation are being brought together both in theory and in practice. The 2 paradigms apply naturally to different classes of problems: functional programming supports abstraction and compositionality, concurrency becomes necessary in dealing with distributed and parallel systems.

Basic calculi with bound variables, ranging from the Lambda calculus to higher order communication systems, have been advanced significantly (combinatory reduction systems, abstract reduction systems, action structures) and have lead to optimality of computation strategies. Graphical treatments of the pi calculus have also been obtained.

Calculi for name passing and for concurrency have matured and been compared. This gives insight for studying true concurrency and physical distribution. Furthermore, a verification tool has been constructed.

The studies of logics (in particular linear logic) have produced insight into optimality for the Lambda calculus, for concurrent computations, for typing mobile processes. Interaction categories have been developed as a new foundation for semantics of sequential and concurrent computation.

Several prototype compilers have been developed, including compilers for optimal reductions, linear programming languages and the pi calculus. The Facile programming language compiler effort has been pursued and is now at a stage where quite significant applications have been constructed.
APPROACH AND METHODS

The cooperation between partners is organised around a number of concrete themes: sorts and types, dynamic behaviours, foundational models for mobility, abstract machines and efficient implementations, proofs and processes, primitive constructs, programming languages: implementations and experience. Each theme addresses issues that span across several or all the main objectives of the action. In addition, two or more of the partners have both clear expertise and a direct interest in each theme. In many cases this has already resulted in collaborations. In the original plans for the project a number of specialised workshops was anticipated. However, instead of having specialised workshops on specific themes we have found that general workshops with sessions devoted to specific topics are of more use at this stage of the project. Apart from the participation in workshops the interaction between partners is based on exchanges of researchers.

We perceive experimental work as an integral part of the project in the sense that it can contribute to verify the feasibility, potential impact and industrial viability of solutions proposed by theory, while simultaneously providing constant feedback and stimulus for theoretical work.

POTENTIAL

Systems that involve concurrent computations, thus typically distributed and parallel systems, are well known as difficult to conceive, design, implement and maintain. If one takes a close look at this area of computing technology one has the distinct impression that it is still a bit of a black art. Attempts to use fourth generation programming technology have so far not produced satisfactory results. The fact remains that in most cases problems of distribution and parallelism are attacked with second generation programming techniques.

This project aims at creating the concrete basis to advance the state of the art to a point where technologies of formalisation, programming and compiler construction will allow distributed and parallel systems to be developed with much greater efficiency in terms of both development effort and utilisation of computing resources. It is quite conceivable that the results of this basic research action could constitute the basis for an industrially more focused project in a later stage (Type A, Type B, or Eureka).

The involvement of four research laboratories outside academia - CWI, INRIA, ECRC and SICS - strengthens the opportunities for transferring know how to the European industry. In particular, ECRC is an industrial research centre. Technology transfer to its shareholder companies is an integral part of its mission and has been quite successful so far.

Ámbito científico

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Coordinador

Institut National de Recherches en Informatique et en Automatique (INRIA)
Aportación de la UE
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Dirección
Domaine de Voluceau Rocquencourt
78153 Le Chesnay
Francia

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Última actualización: 17 Junio 1994

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Permalink: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/6454/es

European Union, 2024