Man-Kit Leung

EECS Department, University of California, Berkeley

Technical Report No. UCB/EECS-2009-187

December 19, 2009

Model-based code generation (MBCG) is a new field of research that arises from the advancement of high-level modeling languages. It is the syntactical transformation of a source model into some textual representation or program. Its applicability ranges from accelerating execution, targeting various platforms to enhancing model interoperability. MBCG is a key agent in sharing models across different research communities and maximizing the impact of the model-based design methodology. However, because of the raised level of abstractions, code generation in a model-based environment brings up a new set of problems beyond traditional compiler research.

Using Ptolemy II as an exemplar modeling environment, this report explores the challenges and problems that exist for model-based code generation. The report describes a reusable code generation framework built using two simple design patterns, code template and adapter, that are well-suited for an actor-based environment. The extensible infrastructure helps simplify the process for future experiments, especially for new models of computation (MoCs). The report tackles the challenges posed by configurable higher-order actors. It also demonstrates a system for incorporating multiple datatypes and specializing polymorphic functions to increase code efficiency.

Advisors: Edward A. Lee

---

BibTeX citation:

@mastersthesis{Leung:EECS-2009-187,
    Author= {Leung, Man-Kit},
    Title= {An Extensible and Retargetable Code Generation Framework for Actor Models},
    School= {EECS Department, University of California, Berkeley},
    Year= {2009},
    Month= {Dec},
    Url= {http://www2.eecs.berkeley.edu/Pubs/TechRpts/2009/EECS-2009-187.html},
    Number= {UCB/EECS-2009-187},
    Abstract= {Model-based code generation (MBCG) is a new field of research that arises from the advancement of high-level modeling languages. It is the syntactical transformation of a source model into some textual representation or program. Its applicability ranges from accelerating execution, targeting various platforms to enhancing model interoperability. MBCG is a key agent in sharing models across different research communities and maximizing the impact of the model-based design methodology. However, because of the raised level of abstractions, code generation in a model-based environment brings up a new set of problems beyond traditional compiler research. 

Using Ptolemy II as an exemplar modeling environment, this report explores the challenges and problems that exist for model-based code generation. The report describes a reusable code generation framework built using two simple design patterns, code template and adapter, that are well-suited for an actor-based environment. The extensible infrastructure helps simplify the process for future experiments, especially for new models of computation (MoCs). The report tackles the challenges posed by configurable higher-order actors. It also demonstrates a system for incorporating multiple datatypes and specializing polymorphic functions to increase code efficiency.},
}

EndNote citation:

%0 Thesis
%A Leung, Man-Kit 
%T An Extensible and Retargetable Code Generation Framework for Actor Models
%I EECS Department, University of California, Berkeley
%D 2009
%8 December 19
%@ UCB/EECS-2009-187
%U http://www2.eecs.berkeley.edu/Pubs/TechRpts/2009/EECS-2009-187.html
%F Leung:EECS-2009-187