jeg@zyx.UUCP (06/14/86)
Subject: Re: Logic/Functional Languages?
Newsgroups: mod.ai
In-Reply-To: <8605200626.AA27699@ucbvax.Berkeley.EDU>
My answer seems to have vanished into the net. Trying again...
Answer to the questions:
1.) Does anyone on the list know of available languages incorporating both
logic and functional programming...?
2.) Some version of Prolog embedded within Common Lisp...?
3.) Has anyone produced any large applications with these hybrid systems?
Are the benefits derived from the systems *significant* (over using,
say, vanilla lisp or prolog)?
Hewlett-Packard have informally introduced HP Prolog to some customers and the
official introduction is scheduled to be sometime in August.
HP Prolog is residing on top of HP Common Lisp and this development environment
is therefore incorporating both Common Lisp and Prolog. Since I am affiliated
with HP, the following information is biased and might sound like an
advertisment, but I'll try to answer the three questions without breaking
to many ethical rules on the net.
HP Development Environment is based on HP-UX (Unix V.2) and HP 9000 series
300, a 68020 based machine, with HP:s window system.
Top level for the Development Environment:
- A complete EMACS editor with some enhancements.
- A general browser.
Main features with the Development Environment are:
- The high level of integration
- The ability to use both Common Lisp and Prolog in the same process
and on the same objects and to mix Common Lisp and Prolog code.
HP Common Lisp has:
- Interpreter and compiler
- Objects package
- Ability to call C/Pascal/Fortran
- Debugger
- Interrupt handler
HP Prolog consists of two different environments:
- A "Common Lisp compatible" S-expression syntax
- Compatibility mode - Compatible with Quintus Prolog
HP Prolog has:
- Interpreter
- Incremental compiler
- Block optimzing compiler
- Debugger
Main features of HP Prolog are:
- A much extended Prolog
- Ability to mix Prolog and Common Lisp
- Macros
- Packages
- Mode declarations
- Declarative determinism
- Integration in the environment
- A well-designed and complete I/O system
- Other minor features like strings, graphics etc.
- An extended Definite Clause Grammar (DCG)
- Respectable performance
The Prolog system will soon be available with/without Common Lisp system
on other vendors machines.
Quite large applications on this system are currently under development.
There is definitely a significant advantage of being able to mix Common
Lisp and Prolog. Common Lisp and Prolog have both different advantages
and complement instead of excluding each other.
--
Jan-Erik Gustavsson, ZYX AB, Styrmansgatan 6, 114 54 Stockholm, Sweden
Phone: + 46 - 8 - 65 32 05
...mcvax!enea!zyx!jeg