USENIX SYMPOSIUM ON VERY HIGH LEVEL LANGUAGES (VHLL) OCTOBER 26 - 28, 1994 EL DORADO HOTEL SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO *********************************************** IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: Pre-Registration Deadline: October 12, 1994 THIS POSTING CONTAINS: Technical Session Descriptions Schedule of Events Hotel and General Conference Information Registration Form *********************************************** The USENIX Symposium on Very High Level Languages will spotlight high level languages and their usefulness in leveraging specific problem areas. The Symposium will introduce participants to new concepts and approaches through original unpublished work. Programmers will learn about the relative strengths and weaknesses and extract the key concepts common to the languages presented. Using very high level languages (VHLLs), programmers can assemble entire applications from large building blocks in just a small fraction of the time required if conventional programming strategies were used. Programmers take advantage of increasingly available hardware cycles, trading cheap machine time for costly programmer time. VHLLs offer one of the most promising approaches toward radically improving programmer productivity. UNIX has long supported very high level languages -- consider AWK and the various shells. Often programmers create new little languages whenever a problem appears of sufficient complexity to merit a higher level programming interface -- consider sendmail.cf. In recent years many UNIX programmers have turned to VHLLs for rapid prototypes and complete applications. They take advantage of these languages' higher level of abstraction to complete projects more rapidly and easily than they could with lower level languages. While VHLLs such as TCL, Perl, Icon, and REXX have gained widespread use and popularity, many others never see the public light. Some of these languages address a limited problem domain (such as graphics, text processing, or mathematical modeling) using powerful primitives created for that specific problem. Other VHLLs are more general-purpose, but still much higher level than most traditional compiled languages. Some are stand-alone languages, while others can be embedded in other programs. Many are interpreted, although some are compiled to native machine code; a few occupy a gap between both worlds. This Symposium will feature: ============================ Three days of refereed technical sessions, including: -Wednesday -- Hour-long overviews of VHLLs in use today: Icon, TCL, Perl, Python, and REXX -Thursday -- An overview of ML Engaging after-dinner Invited Talks on Wednesday Birds-of-a-Feather Sessions (BOFS) Wednesday and Thursday PRELIMINARY TECHNICAL PROGRAM Wednesday-Friday, October 26-28, 1994 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26 Keynote Address: Languages I've Loved -- 8:45-9:45 Dr. Jon Bentley, AT&T Bell Laboratories Good languages get the job done; they are useful and clean, but they don't have fans. Great languages will inspire passionate users. This talk surveys some of the languages that I have loved, from AWK to Visual Basic. I will illustrate the languages with the kinds of programs I would like to see in documentation; tiny programs to display language features and small programs that solve substantial problems. Jon L. Bentley is a Member of Technical Staff in the Computing Science Research Center at AT&T Bell Laboratories. His research interests include programming techniques and algorithm design. Dr. Bentley received a B.S. degree in Mathematical Sciences from Stanford University in 1974, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science from the University of North Carolina in 1976. He is the author of three books: Writing Efficient Programs, Programming Pearls, and More Programming Pearls. Language Overview: Perl -- 10:15 - 11:15 Larry Wall, NetLabs, Inc. Originally perceived as a text-processing language for writing impenetrable one-liners, Perl has recently developed into a language that can be used in polite company. Larry Wall, the author of Perl, will talk about what happens when you try to combine all your favorite languages into one language. He'll present the original design rationale for Perl, and how "Perl philosophy" is evolving with the development of Perl version 5, and why you should care. Language Overview: TCL - A Universal Scripting Language 11:15-12:15 Dr. John Ousterhout, Sun Microsystems, Inc. In this talk I will give a brief overview of Tcl, a universal scripting language, and Tk, its companion GUI toolkit. Then I will discuss how the Tcl language evolved and the design issues behind it. Finally, I will critique the language and describe what I would do differently if I were to start again. Language Overview: Python Programming Language -- 1:30-2:30 Guido van Rossum, CWI Python is an interpreted, object-oriented language with a clear, intuitive syntax, powerful high-level data structures, and a flexible dynamic type system. It provides modules and classes which make the construction of large Python programs feasible. The talk will start with a quick introduction to Python, then discuss the rationale of its design, and round off with a look in the crystal ball. Language Overview: REXX -- 2:30-3:30 Pamela J. Taylor, REXX Language Association, The Workstation Group REXX is a versatile language used for applications that include "throw-away" procedures, "glue" programs, prototyping, systems administration, and mission-critical business applications. This presentation will discuss: The philosophy of the language and the history of its development; features that make it easy to learn, use and suited for a broad range of applications. Language Overview: Icon Programming Languagea -- 4:00-5:00 Dr. Clinton Jeffery, University of Texas - San Antonio Icon is a general-purpose programming language derived from Snobol4. It's primary innovation is an expression evaluation model that integrates procedural programming with generators and backtracking. This is matched in utility by a large repertoire of built-in operations and heterogeneous structures. An optimizing compiler and portability to platforms ranging from supercomputers and IBM mainframes to many PC operating systems broaden Icon's appeal. Invited Talk: From Blazon to Postscript -- 7:00-8:30pm Daniel V. Klein, LoneWolf Systems Invited Talk: Objecting to Objects -- 8:30-10:00pm Stephen C. Johnson, Melismatic Software THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27 Language Overview: Standard ML -- 8:30-9:30 Andy Koenig, AT&T Bell Laboratories Standard ML is a strongly typed general-purpose language with particularly good support for functional programming, data abstraction, and composition of modules. It feels a little like strongly typed Lisp with different syntax. A robust compiler that generates fast machine code is available free of charge. SESSION 1 -- 10:00-11:30 An Anecdote About ML Type Inference Andy Koenig, AT&T Bell Laboratories libscheme: Scheme as a C Library Brent Benson Jr., Harris Computer Systems A New Architecture for the Implementation of Scripting Languages Adam Sah and Jon Blow, University of California, Berkeley SESSION 2 -- 1:00-2:30 Tcl/Tk for a Personal Digital Assistant Karin Petersen, Xerox PARC Using Tcl to Control a Computer-Participative Multimedia Programming Environment Christopher Lindblad, Massachusetts Institute of Technology TkPerl - - A Port of the Tk Toolkit to Per15 Malcolm Beattie, Oxford University SESSION 3 -- 3:00-4:30 Rapid Programming with Graph Rewrite Rules Andy Schuerr, Aachen University of Technology End-User Systems, Reusability, and High-Level Design John Snyder, Kiem-Phong Vo and Glenn Fowler, AT&T Bell Laboratories Compiling Matlab Stephen C. Johnson, Melismatic Software; Cleve Moler, The Mathworks, Inc. Invited Talk: Lessons Learned from Postscript -- 4:30-5:30 Dick Dunn, QMS Inc. USENIX RECEPTION -- 6:00-8:00 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28 SESSION 4 -- 8:30 - 10:00 Ksh: An Extensible High-Level Language David Korn, AT&T Bell Laboratories Fornax: A General-Purpose Programming Language J. Storrs Hall, Rutgers University Graphics Programming in Icon Version 9 Clinton Jeffery, University of Texas - San Antonio; Ralph Griswold and Gregg Townsend, University of Arizona SESSION 5 -- 10:30-11:30 Application Languages in Software Production David Ladd and Christopher Ramming, AT&T Bell Laboratories Using a Very-High Level Language to Build Familities of High Quality Resuable Components Gary Pollice, CenterLine Software, Inc. SESSION 6 -- 1:00-2:00 Dixie: A Distributed Internet Execution Environment R. Stockton Gaines, University of Southern California, Information Sciences Institute Feature-Based Portability Glenn Fowler, David Korn, John Snyder and Kiem-Phong Vo, AT&T Bell Laboratories Footnote: High-Level Languages, Little Languages, and Software Productivity -- 2:00-3:00 Stephen C. Johnson, Melismatic Software Traditional methods of writing software are pricing themselves out of the market. For a while, traditional software methods will survive through offshore manufacturing, but the future belongs to high level languages both general purpose and special purpose ("little languages")--that can exploit cheap machine cycles to replace expensive programmers, shorten design cycles, and even lead to "user configurable" software. Closing Remarks -- 3:00 Tom Christiansen, Consultant PROGRAM COMMITTEE ================= Program Chair: Tom Christiansen, Consultant Jon Bentley, AT&T Bell Laboratories Stephen C. Johnson, Melismatic Software Brian Kernighan, AT&T Bell Laboratories John Ousterhout, University of California, Berkeley Henry Spencer, University of Toronto Larry Wall, NetLabs, Inc. IMPORTANT SYMPOSIUM DATES & SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ============================================== Pre-Registration Deadline: October 12, 1994 Hotel Reservation Deadline: September 26, 1994 TUESDAY, October 25 6:00pm - 9:00pm - Registration & Welcome Reception WEDNESDAY, October 26 8:30am - 5:00pm - Technical Sessions 7:00pm - 10:00pm - Invited Talks 7:00pm -11:00pm - Birds of a Feather Sessions THURSDAY, October 27 8:30am - 5:30pm - Technical Sessions and Invited Talk 6:00pm - 8:00pm - Symposium Reception 8:00pm - 11:00pm - Birds of a Feather Sessions FRIDAY, October 28 8:30am - 3:00pm - Technical Sessions HOTEL INFORMATION ================= Room reservation deadline is September 26 1994. The Symposium headquarters will be: Eldorado Hotel 309 W. San Francisco Street Santa Fe, New Mexico Telephone: +1 (505) 988-4455 Tollfree: +1 (800) 762-2333 ROOM RATES: $110.00 Single/Double Occupancy (Plus prevailing tax, currently at 10.125%) YOU SHOULD BE AWARE - the hotel has indicated there is a strong possibility that rooms will not be available after the September 26th deadline. It is strongly recommended that you make your room reservations EARLY, even if your attendance and travel plans are not confirmed. Should you desire to cancel your room reservations, you must notify the hotel at least 72 hours in advance. To Make Your Reservation: Call the Hotel directly and ask for the Reservations Desk. Tell reservations that you are a USENIX Attendee to take advantage of our group rate. A one nights deposit is required for all reservations. Should you desire to cancel your reservation, you must notify the hotel at least 72 hours prior to your scheduled arrival. DO YOU KNOW THE WAY TO SANTA FE? ================================ Air Transportation: Albuquerque International Airport is the closest major airport to Santa Fe and is serviced by five major carriers. Santa Fe has its own small municipal airport which offers commuter service from Albuquerque and Denver. Getting from Albuquerque to Santa Fe: Santa Fe is located just off Interstate 25, 60 miles north of Albuquerque. You may make commuter airline arrangements, rent a car, or take the shuttle transportation to reach Santa Fe. Information is shown below: Commuter Airline: Mesa Airlines, +1 (505) 473-4118 Car Rental Agencies: Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, Payless, Dollar, National, Sears and Alamo Shuttle Transportation: Shuttlejack provides bus transportation service from 6:40am to 10:45pm, every two hours (10 times daily) between the Albuquerque International Airport and the Eldorado Hotel in Santa Fe. Reservations ARE required for this service. Payment must be paid by cash or travelers checks. It is highly recommended that you call Shuttlejack BEFORE you make your flight arrangements to coordinate your flight arrival time with your shuttle service and verify their current time schedule and seating availability. To make your reservation, call: Telephone: +1-505-982-4311 Current Cost: $20 one way USENIX RECEPTION You are invited to join in the fun, mingle with old and new friends and enjoy the plentiful hors d'oeuvres and beverages. The USENIX reception is Thursday, October 27, from 6:00-8:00pm. BIRDS OF A FEATHER SESSIONS On Wednesday evening October 26th BOFs will be held from 7:00pm - 11:00pm and Thursday evening, October 27th from 8:00pm - 11:00pm. If you wish to schedule a BOF, contact a USENIX staff person upon your arrival at the symposium. CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS: One copy of the proceedings is included with your Technical Sessions registration fee. If you wish to order additional copies, you may contact the USENIX Association Executive Office at Telephone +1 (510) 528-8649, or direct your email to: office@usenix.org. POINTS OF INTEREST Santa Fe's elevation is approximately 7,000 feet above sea level. It is known to have 300+ days of sunshine. Santa Fe is indeed "a city of museums", both state operated and private facilities. Some museums include: Museum of New Mexico including the Palace of the Governors; Fine Arts Museum of Indian Art and Culture; the Laboratory of Anthropology; The Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian; Institute of American Indian Arts and the Children's Museum. More than 200 art galleries display a vast array of works by noted regional artists, photographers and craftspersons. The Santa Fe Ski Basin is located only 18 miles from Santa Fe and Taos is just over an hour away. ABOUT USENIX Since 1975, the USENIX Association has provided a forum for the communication of the results of innovation and research in UNIX and modern open systems. It is well known for its technical conferences, tutorial programs, and the wide variety of publications it has sponsored over the years. USENIX is the original (we celebrate our 20th anniversary in 1995), not-for-profit membership organization for individuals and institutions interested in UNIX and UNIX-like systems, by extension, X, object-oriented technology, and other advanced tools and technologies, and the broad interconnected and interoperable computing enviornment. USENIX and its members are dedicated to: * fostering innovation and research that works, * communicating rapidly the results of both research and innovation, * providing a neutral forum for the exercise of critical thought and the airing of technical issues. FOR FURTHER SYMPOSIUM INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: USENIX Conference Office 22672 Lambert St., Suite 613 Lake Forest, CA 92630 Telephone +1 (714) 588-8649 FAX Number +1 (714) 588-9706 Electronic Mail Address: conference@usenix.org Office Hours: 8:30am - 5:00pm Pacific Time REGISTRATION INFORMATION ======================== REGISTER EARLY TO SAVE! PRE-REGISTRATION DEADLINE: October 12, 1994 REGISTRATION FEES ARE $50 HIGHER AFTER THAT DATE! Pre-registration *Member Non-member Full-time Student (Before Oct. 12, 1994) $295.00 $360.00 $75.00 Registration (Aft Oct. 12, 1994)$345.00 $410.00 $75.00 *The member rate applies to current individual members of the USENIX Association, EurOpen , JUS and AUUG. Full-time students please note: A limited number of scholarships are available for full-time students. Contact the Conference Office for details. 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REFUND CANCELLATION POLICY: If you must CANCEL, all refund requests must be in writing and postmarked no later than October 19, 1994. Direct your letter to the USENIX Conference Office. You may telephone to substitute another in your place. ==========================cut here================================ ****************************************************************** REGISTRATION FORM - USENIX SYMPOSIUM ON VERY HIGH LEVEL LANGUAGES ****************************************************************** Please complete the form below and return to the USENIX Conference office (address below). NAME________________________________________________________________ (first) (last) FIRST NAME FOR BADGE____________________________ COMPANY OR INSTITUTION______________________________________________ MAILING ADDRESS_____________________________________________________ CITY___________________________STATE_____COUNTRY________ZIP____________ TELEPHONE NO:_________________________FAX NO.___________________________ NETWORK ADDRESS______________________________________________________ (Please write legibly) If you do NOT want to appear in the attendee list, check here: ___ Is this your first USENIX Conference? ___Yes ___No What is your affiliation? ___ Academic ___ Commercial ___ Gov't. 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TOTAL ENCLOSED...................$_________ *IF YOU WISH TO JOIN OR RENEW USENIX Check Here................... |_| Please take $65.00 of my non-member conference registration fee to pay for a one year indiviudal membership in USENIX. Payments must accompany registration form. Purchase orders and Vouchers not accepted. Payment Enclosed (U.S. Dollars). Make check payable to USENIX CONFERENCE. CHARGE TO MY: ___VISA ___MASTERCARD ___AMERICAN EXPRESS ___DINERS CLUB ACCOUNT NO.______________________________________ EXPIRATION DATE_________ _______________________________________/___________________________ Print Cardholder's Name Cardholder's Signature You may FAX your registration form if paying by credit card to USENIX CONFERENCE OFFICE, FAX +1 714 588 9706. (If you FAX registration, to avoid duplicate billing, do not mail additional copy. You may telephone our office to confirm receipt of your fax.) REFUND CANCELLATION POLICY: If you must CANCEL, all refund requests must be in writing and postmarked no later than Ocotober 19, 1994. Direct your letter to the USENIX Conference Office. ******************************************************************** PAYMENT MUST ACCOMPANY REGISTRATION FORM. REGISTRATION VIA EMAIL IS NOT ACCEPTED. ******************************************************************** PLEASE COMPLETE REGISTRATION FORM AND RETURN IT ALONG WITH YOUR FULL PAYMENT TO: USENIX Conference Office 22672 Lambert St., Suite 613 Lake Forest, CA 92630 Telephone + 714 588 8649; FAX + 714 588 9706 Internet Address: conference@usenix.org Office Hours: 8:30am-5:00pm Pacific Time