Prentice-Hall International Series in Computer Science C.A.R. Hoare, Series Editor BACKHOUSE, R.C., Program Construction and Verification BACKHOUSE, RC. Syntax of Programming Languages, Theory and Practice de BAKKER, J. W,, Mathematical Theory of Program Correctness BJORNER, C., and JONES, C.B., Formal Specification and Software Development BORNAT, R. » Programming from First Principles CLARK, K.L., and McCABE, F.G., micro-PROLOG: Programming in Logic DROMEY, R.G., How to Soive itby Computer DUNCAN, F., Microprocessor Programming and Software Development ELDER, J., Construction of Data Processing Software GOLDSCHLAGER, L., and LISTER, A., Computer Science: A Modern Introduction HAYES, L., (Editor), Specification Case Studies HEHNER, E.C.R., The Logic of Programming HENDERSON, P., Functional Programming: Application and Implementation HOARE, C.A.R.,andSHEPHERDSON, J.C., (Editors), Mathematical Logic and Programming Languages INMOS LTD, Occam Programming Manual JACKSON, M.A. System Development JOHNSTON, H., to Program JONES, C.B., Systematic Software Development Using VDM JONES, G., Programming in Occam PRASAD, V.R., and NATARAJAN, N., Multiprocessor Operating System ..» Computer Science: A Mathematical Introduction MacCALLUM, I., Pascal for the Apple MacCALLUM, I.,UCSD Pascal for the IBM PC MARTIN, J.J., Data Types and Data Structures PEYTON JONES, S.L., The Implementation of Functional Programming Languages POMBERGER, G., Soffwaré Engineering and Modula-2 REYNOLDS, .C., The Craft of Programming ‘SLOMAN, M., and KRAMER, J., Distributed Seon ad and Computer Networks TENNENT, RD. Principles of Programming Langi WELSH, J.,and ELDER, 1. Introduction to Pascal 2nd Edition WELSH, J., ELDER, J., and BUSTARD, D., Sequential Program Structures WELSH, 3., and HAY, A.,A Model Implementation of Standard Pascal WELSH, J., and McCKEAG, M., Structured System ProgrammingTHE IMPLEMENTATION OF FUNCTIONAL PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES Simon L. Peyton Jones Department of Computer Science, University College London chapters by Philip Wadler, Programming Research Group, Oxford Peter Hancock, Metier Management Systems Ltd David Tumer, University of Kent, Canterbury PRENTICE HALL NEWYORK LONDON TORONTO SYDNEY TOKYO.To Dorothy First published 1987 by Prentice Hall International (UK) Lid, ‘Campus 400, Maylands Avenue, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 7EZ A division of Simon & Schuster Intemational Group © 1987 Simon L. Peyton Jones (excluding Appendix) Appendix © David A. Tuer Alllrights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission, in writing, from the publisher. For permission within the United States of America contact Prentice Hall Inc. , Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632. Printed and bound in Great Britain by BPC Wheatons Ltd, Exeter Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Peyton Jones, Simon L., 1958- ‘The implementation of functional programming languages. “7th May 1986. Bibliography: p. Includes index. I. Functional programming languages. I. Title. QA76.7.P495 1987 005.13°3 86-20535 ISBN 0-13-453333-X British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Peyton Jones, Simon L. ‘The implementation of functional programming languages — (Prentice Hall Intemational series in computer science) I, Electronic digital computers Programming. L.Title II. Wadler, Philip III. Hancock, Peter 005.1 QA76.6 ISBN 0-13-453333-X ISBN 0-13-453325-9 Pbk 678910 98 97 96 95 94 ISBN O-13-453333-X ISBN 0-13-453325-4 PBK