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We explore an approach to type-directed program synthesis rooted in constraint-based type inference techniques. By doing this, we aim to more efficiently synthesize polymorphic code while also tackling advanced typing features such as GADTs that build upon polymorphism. Along the way, we also present an implementation of these techniques in Scythe, a prototype live, type-directed programming tool for the Haskell programming language and reflect on our initial experience with the tool.
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Stitch: the sound type-indexed type checker (functional pearl)
A classic example of the power of generalized algebraic datatypes (GADTs) to verify a delicate implementation is the type-indexed expression AST. This functional pearl refreshes this example, casting it in modern Haskell using many of GHC's bells and whistles. The Stitch interpreter is a full executable interpreter, with a parser, type checker, common-subexpression elimination, and a REPL. Making heavy use of GADTs and type indices, the Stitch implementation is clean Haskell code and serves as an existence proof that Haskell's type system is advanced enough for the use of fancy types in a practical setting. The paper focuses on guiding the reader through these advanced topics, enabling them to adopt the techniques demonstrated here.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1703835
- PAR ID:
- 10273940
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Haskell 2020: Proceedings of the 13th ACM SIGPLAN International Symposium on Haskell
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 39 to 53
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Conference Paper:
- https://doi.org/10.1145/3406088.3409015
