A data flow language for operating systems programming

Abstract

This paper describes a graphical programming language based on the concept of pure data flow sequencing of computations. Programs in this language are constructed through function definition and composition, and are based on the primitive notions of iteration, recursion, conditional expression, data replication, aggregation and selection, and the usual arithmetic and logical operations. Various useful programming devices such as the DO loop and, surprisingly, the memory cell are defined in terms of these primitives. Programs in this language are determinate in operation unless indeterminism is explicitly introduced. The utility of this language for designing and implementing operating systems is discussed. © 1973, ACM. All rights reserved.