First Class Call Stacks: Exploring Head Reduction


Abstract in English

Weak-head normalization is inconsistent with functional extensionality in the call-by-name $lambda$-calculus. We explore this problem from a new angle via the conflict between extensionality and effects. Leveraging ideas from work on the $lambda$-calculus with control, we derive and justify alternative operational semantics and a sequence of abstract machines for performing head reduction. Head reduction avoids the problems with weak-head reduction and extensionality, while our operational semantics and associated abstract machines show us how to retain weak-head reductions ease of implementation.

Download