Development of a Machine-Independent, Multi-Level, Recursive Macro Substitution Language for the Specification of Real File Structures and Their Operational Environments

摘要

The report describes a machine-independent, multi-level, recursive macro-substitution language, called mini-FIRMS, that can be used as a vehicle in the mathematical simulation of machine filing structures. This language is intended to enable the evaluation and optimization of memory structure and function in applications to the filing of information. In particular, it will assist in the construction of efficient representations for data bases in existing machine filing structures as well as provide criteria for the specification of a repertory of schematic data bases for use in analyzing the efficiency of practical filing configurations. The language is also the foundation for a general programming system, to be developed, that it is hoped, will provide significant advantages in the construction of compilers, time-sharing systems, and other 'non-functional' software as well as of filing systems. The memory structure optimization features of this system are designed to be particularly useful in the creation of efficiently running hardware-independent software. (Author)