Abstract:
The pattern calculus is a new foundation for computation, in which the expressive power of functions and of data structures are fruitfully combined within pattern-matching functions. The best of existing foundations focus on either functions (in the lambda-calculus) or on data structures (in Turing machines) or compromise on both (as in object-orientation). By contrast, a small typed pattern calculus supports all the main programming styles, including functional, imperative, object-oriented and query-based styles. Indeed, it may help to support web services, to the extent that these are generic functions applied to partially specified data structures.
