Execution model

Program execution
General concepts
Types of code
Compilation strategies
Notable runtimes
Notable compilers & toolchains

In computing, a programming language consists of a syntax plus an execution model. The execution model specifies the behavior of elements of the language. By applying the execution model, one can derive the behavior of a program that was written in terms of that programming language. For example, when a programmer "reads" code, in their mind, they walk through what each line of code does. In effect they simulate the behavior inside their mind. What the programmer is doing is applying the execution model to the code, which results in the behavior of the code.

Each and every programming language has an execution model, which determines the manner in which the units of work (that are indicated by program syntax) are scheduled for execution. Detailed examples of the specification of execution models of a few popular languages include those of Python,[1] the execution model of the Unified Parallel C (UPC) programming language, [2] a discussion of various classes of execution model such as for imperative versus functional languages,[3] and an article discussing execution models for real-time embedded languages.[4]

  1. ^ "Python Documentation: Execution Model".
  2. ^ "UPC Language Features".
  3. ^ Cardoso, J.M.P.; Diniz, P.C. (2011). Programming Languages and Execution Models. Springer US. ISBN 9780387096711.
  4. ^ PELLIZZONI, R.; BETTI, E.; BAK, S.; YAO, G.; CRISWELL, J.; CACCAMO, M. & KEGLEY, R (2011). "A Predictable Execution Model for COTS-based Embedded Systems" (PDF). Real-Time and Embedded Technology and Applications Symposium. IEEE. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-08-12. Retrieved 2015-05-20.