Type-Preserving Compilation of Featherweight Java

Last modified: Fri Dec 15 17:21:21 2000 GMT.

Authors

Christopher League
Valery Trifonov
Zhong Shao

Abstract

We present an efficient encoding of core Java constructs in a simple, implementable typed intermediate language. The encoding, after type erasure, has the same operational behavior as a standard implementation using vtables and self-application for method invocation. Classes inherit super-class methods with no overhead. We support mutually recursive classes while preserving separate compilation. Our strategy extends naturally to a significant subset of Java, including interfaces and privacy. The formal translation using Featherweight Java allows comprehensible type-preservation proofs and serves as a starting point for extending the translation to new features.

Published

In FOOL 8, London, January 2001.

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