3.1.1 Binding-Time Analysis (BTA)

[Mathnerd314]

Desired function
Classify expressions/values as static, dynamic, or partially static, and define abstract values for specialization.

Futamura role
Core analysis used to implement the specializer (s) and generating extensions.

Inputs

• IR/AST with annotations for known compile-time inputs.
• Allowed host interactions (file I/O, etc.).
• Exception semantics (Layer 0.6).

Processing

• Dataflow fixed-point analysis propagating binding times.
• Build abstract values: static part + constraints on dynamic part.
• Track static computations that may raise exceptions; mark those as disallowed or special.

Outputs

• Binding-time annotated IR.
• Abstract value lattice for partial evaluator and JIT.

Key references

• Classic partial evaluation / BTA literature. gist.github