J operator

In computer science, Peter Landin's J operator is a programming construct that post-composes a lambda expression with the continuation to the current lambda-context. The resulting “function” is first-class and can be passed on to subsequent functions, where if applied it will return its result to the continuation of the function in which it was created.

In computer science, Peter Landin's J operator is a programming construct that post-composes a lambda expression with the continuation to the current lambda-context. The resulting “function” is first-class and can be passed on to subsequent functions, where if applied it will return its result to the continuation of the function in which it was created. The J operator originally created what was called a "program closure", consisting of a function called the body and a SECD state called the dump. A program closure is equivalent to composing its body with the dump in continuation form (closure(f,D)(x) = D(f(x)) ). ==Examples== J(λx.x) is equivalent to a first class return statement. This is because λx.x is the identity function, so when it gets applied it will do nothing to the value given and returns it straight away. λv.J(λx.x) initially returns the J of λx.x, but that could be used in a surrounding expression to make it re-return a different value. ==See also== Call-with-current-continuation ==References== By Landin Landin, P.J., “A formal description of Algol 60.” Presented at IFIP Working Conf., Baden, Sept. 1964. Landin, P.J., “Programming without lmperatives—an Example,” UNIVAC S.P. Research Report (March, 1965) Landin, P.J., “Getting Rid of Labels,” UNIVAC S.P. Research Report (July, 1965) Landin, P.J., “An Analysis of Assignment in Programming Languages,” UNIVAC S.P. Research Report (September, 1965) Landin, P.J., “A Generalization of Jumps and Labels,” math.bas.bg (1998) By others

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