CPA-SEL: Developing a Theory of Hygienic Macros

Northeastern University, Boston MA

Investigators

Abstract

Modern software systems involve millions of lines of code. In many systems, many of these lines are repetitions, with some variations, of a few patterns. This repetition is necessary because current programming languages require the programmer to spell out many details over and over again. Such repetition is error-prone and increases the cost and time-to-market of software systems. This research studies syntactic abstraction, a technique to eliminate much of the repetition in such systems. This research aims to develop the theory of syntactic abstractions (also called "macros") to put it on a par with procedural or data abstraction. Its goal is to develop theories and tools that will make syntactic abstraction easy. Its results are intended to make it easier to write complex syntactic abstractions and that will allow a language designer to make rational choices when designing a syntactic abstraction facility. The main technical innovation is the inclusion of binding patterns as part of the public interface of a macro.