Metamorphisms: Streaming representation-changers

Journal article

Unfolds generate data structures, and folds consume them. A hylomorphism is a fold after an unfold, generating then consuming a virtual data structure. A metamorphism is the opposite composition, an unfold after a fold; typically, it will convert from one data representation to another. In general, metamorphisms are less interesting than hylomorphisms: there is no automatic fusion to deforest the intermediate virtual data structure. However, under certain conditions fusion is possible: some of the work of the unfold can be done before all of the work of the fold is complete. This permits streaming metamorphisms, and among other things allows conversion of infinite data representations. We present a theory of metamorphisms and outline some examples. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Authors: Gibbons, J

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: SCIENCE OF COMPUTER PROGRAMMING
• Volume: 65
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 108-139
• Publication date: 2007-03-15
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scico.2006.01.006
• ISSN: 0167-6423
• Language: English
• Keywords: data representations; streaming; folds; online algorithms; fusion; unfolds; conversion