Data Layout from a Type-Theoretic Perspective
- Resource Type
- Working Paper
- Authors
- DeYoung, Henry; Pfenning, Frank
- Source
- Electronic Notes in Theoretical Informatics and Computer Science, Volume 1 - Proceedings of MFPS XXXVIII (February 22, 2023) entics:10507
- Subject
- Computer Science - Logic in Computer Science
Computer Science - Programming Languages
- Language
The specifics of data layout can be important for the efficiency of functional programs and interaction with external libraries. In this paper, we develop a type-theoretic approach to data layout that could be used as a typed intermediate language in a compiler or to give a programmer more control. Our starting point is a computational interpretation of the semi-axiomatic sequent calculus for intuitionistic logic that defines abstract notions of cells and addresses. We refine this semantics so addresses have more structure to reflect possible alternative layouts without fundamentally departing from intuitionistic logic. We then add recursive types and explore example programs and properties of the resulting language.
Comment: Invited paper for MFPS 2022 special issue of ENTICS