Prolog oriented architecture using RISC concepts

Abstract

It is pointed out that finding the most frequently used machine-level instructions for a particular high-level language (HLL) is one of the design foundations of reduced-instruction-set computers (RISCs). In the present work, the author presents preliminary results of a study to determine the most frequently used machine-level instruction in the execution of Prolog programs. It is noted that three groups (transfer of control, move, and pop/push) must be studied more closely. The transfer of control and the push/pop groups will participate in the design of the overlapping register windows (ORWs) for the anticipated RISC-Prolog machine. The move group will also influence the design of ORWs in terms of the size of the window frames (number of registers per window) and the different replacement strategies of the ORWs.<>