Loop pointers

Abstract

A Loop Pointer (LP) construct is disclosed for identifying terms in a recursive expression operated with an iterator. A Loop Pointer Variable (LPV) is assigned the current value of the recursive expression comprising one or more previous values or prior terms of the LPV. The prior terms or values are identified in source code by a loop pointer construct modifying a reference to the loop pointer variable. A compiler, responsive to encountering a loop pointer construct, generates instructions to access each of the one or more identified variable values for use in computation of the current value of the loop pointer variable at runtime. An access to the iterator construct output can request the terminal value of the loop pointer variable.

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