A Survey of Proposed Architectures for the Execution of Functional Languages

Functional and imperative programming languages are characterized and compared with regard to programming style and efficiency. Machine design issues, are characterized by interconnection topology, evaluation strategy, program and data representation, process management, and dynamic optimization techniques; short descriptions of a number of "functional" machines are given in terms of these issues. Multiprocessor issues and systems are particularly emphasized. Outstanding problems in the area are reviewed and an overall evaluation of proposed machines is given.