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Abstract : |
Two major paradigms in computer programming languages are imperative and declarative programming. We describe a scheme for languages that integrate specific features from these two paradigms into a new framework: Constraint Imperative Programming. Along with the framework, we discuss the design and implementation of a particular instance of this framework, Kaleidoscope'90. From the imperative paradigm, constraint imperative programming adopts explicit control flow, state, and assignment. From the declarative paradigm, it adopts explicit, systemmaintained constraints (relations that should hold). There is a strong practical motivation for making this integration: in a typical application, some portions are most clearly described using imperative constructs, while other portions are most clearly described using constraints. By using a constraint imperative language, the most suitable paradigm can be used as appropriate., |
