Focusing on object-oriented programming, this book delves into the key features of contemporary languages, including class-based, prototype, and Actor languages. It offers a comparative analysis of their semantic concepts, making it suitable for readers with a foundational understanding of programming language principles.
The author shares a deep passion for virtual machines (VMs), highlighting their blend of fun and utility. With a history of building VMs since 1980, the narrative explores the creative freedom they offer, allowing for machine design without the constraints of specific hardware. The text reflects on the power and applicability of VMs, revealing the author's desire to delve into advanced concepts like register-based VMs and concurrency. Initially intended as a semantic exploration, the book promises insights into both the technical and personal aspects of virtual machine development.
This text attempts to provide a comprehensive treatment of the main approaches to object-oriented languages, including class-based, prototype and actor languages.
Focusing on a novel approach to operating systems and kernel design, this book emerges from the author's long-held ambition dating back to 1979. After initial sketches in 2001 and further development in 2005, the author created a foundational kernel presented in Chapter 3. The work emphasizes the need for clarity and a solid foundation in operating system design, while also acknowledging the importance of security in kernel reliability. The book aims to provide insights and proofs to support its innovative perspective on the subject.
Programming in Dylan is aimed at programmers who are already familiar with languages such as Pascal or C but who, as yet, have no knowledge of object-oriented languages. The author takes the reader through the development of Dylan by Apple and introduces the concept of object oriented languages, comparing Dylan to other languages such as CLOS, Smalltalk and C++. The author looks at fundamental concepts of the Dylan language before moving on to present the basic types (Boolean, vectors, strings etc.). Variables, expressions and assignment, and functions (both named and anonymous) are covered in detail. The Dylan class is introduced in its simple form and generic functions and library classes are discussed in depth. The author shows how modularisation needs to be used if large applications are to be developed and illustrates how to construct program libraries. A simulation and modelling example runs through the book.