USENIX Symposium on Very High Level Languages (VHLL)

USENIX SYMPOSIUM ON VERY HIGH LEVEL LANGUAGES (VHLL)


OCTOBER 26 - 28, 1994
EL DORADO HOTEL
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO


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concepts and approaches through original unpublished work.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


***********************************************
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
Hotel Reservation Deadline: September 26, 1994
Pre-Registration Deadline: October 12, 1994


THIS POSTING CONTAINS:
    Technical Session Descriptions
    Schedule of Events
    Hotel and General Conference Information
    Registration Form
***********************************************


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.


Enjoy the Benefits of Becoming a USENIX Member - If you are not
a current USENIX member and wish to join, pay the non-member fee
on the registration form and check the special box requesting
membership. $65 of your non-member fee will be designated as
dues in full for a one-year individual USENIX Association
membership.


Please complete and return the enclosed registration form with
your payment. You may pay by check (MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO
USENIX CONFERENCE) or use your VISA, MasterCard, Diners Club or
American Express charge card. Payment MUST accompany
registration form. Purchase orders and vouchers are NOT
accepted. NOTE: You may FAX your registration form if paying
by credit card. (To avoid duplicate billing when faxing your
registration, do not mail an additional copy to the Conference
Office. You may telephone the conference 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 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.
Are you a current member of the USENIX Association? ___ Yes ___No
(If you wish to join USENIX see below.*)


The address you provide will be used for all future USENIX
mailings unless you notify us in writing.
==========================================================


FEE SCHEDULE for TECHNICAL SESSIONS


TECHNICAL SESSIONS REGISTRATION FEES
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, October 26-28


MEMBER FEE................................................$295.00 _____
      The member fee applies to current individual members
      of the USENIX Association, JUS, EurOpen or AUUG.


NON-MEMBER FEE*...........................................$360.00 _____


Late fee applies after October 12, 1994................Add$ 50.00 _____


FULL-TIME STUDENT FEE - Pre-registered/On-Site............$ 75.00 _____
(Students must include photocopy of current student I.D.
card with registration form.)


                                                    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

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