Compiling Prolog into microcode: a case study using the NCR/32-000

Abstract

A proven method of obtaining high performance for Prolog programs is to first translate them into the instruction set of Warren's Abstract Machine, or W-code [1]. From that point, there are several models of execution available. This paper describes one of them:- the compilation of W-code directly into the vertical microcode of a general purpose host processor, the NCR/32-000. The result is the fastest functioning Prolog system known to the authors. We describe the implementation, provide benchmark measurements, and analyze our results.