In computing, partial evaluation is a technique for several different types of program optimization by specialization. The most straightforward application is to produce new programs which run faster than the originals while being guaranteed to behave in the same way.
A computer program, prog, is seen as a mapping of input data into output data:
, the static data, is the part of the input data known at compile time.
The partial evaluator transforms into by precomputing all static input at compile time. is called the "residual program" and should run more efficiently than the original program. The act of partial evaluation is said to "residualize" to .
Read more about Partial Evaluation: Futamura Projections
Famous quotes containing the words partial and/or evaluation:
“The only coöperation which is commonly possible is exceedingly partial and superficial; and what little true coöperation there is, is as if it were not, being a harmony inaudible to men. If a man has faith, he will coöperate with equal faith everywhere; if he has not faith, he will continue to live like the rest of the world, whatever company he is joined to.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Evaluation is creation: hear it, you creators! Evaluating is itself the most valuable treasure of all that we value. It is only through evaluation that value exists: and without evaluation the nut of existence would be hollow. Hear it, you creators!”
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900)