Separate compilation in CHIPSY

Abstract

This paper describes a practical implementation scheme for separate compilation of strongly typed high-level languages. The scheme provides full inter-module type checking, while limiting the problems of “big inhale” and most redundant recompilations by employing smart recompilation at reasonable cost. It also provides type-safe link-time substitution of module variants. The scheme has been implemented for CHILL1 in CHIPSY®, and has been in use since 1983. The current host is VAX/VMS. Targets include VAX, Intel 8086 and 80286, both stand-alone and under MS-DOS. A Sun-386i and VAX/Ultrix hosted version is under development. CHIPSY is marketed by KVATRO A/S of Trondheim, Norway.