Runtime Compilation of Array-Oriented Python Programs

Runtime Compilation of Array-Oriented Python Programs

by Alex Rubinsteyn

A dissertation submitted in partial ful llment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Computer Science New York University September 2014

Professor Dennis Shasha

Dedication

This thesis is dedicated to my parents and to the area code 60076.

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Acknowledgements

When I came to New York in 2007, I brought with me a Subaru Outback (mostly full of books), a thinly acquired degree in Neuroscience, a rapidly shrinking bank account, and a nebulous plan to become a mathematician. When I wrote to a researcher at MIT, seeking a position in his lab, I had to admit that: "my GPA is horrible, my recommendations grudgingly extracted from laughable sources." To my earnest surprise, he never replied. Undeterred and full of con dence in the victory of my enthusiasm over my historical inability to get anything done, I applied to Courant's Masters program in Mathematics and was promptly rejected. In a panic, I applied to Columbia's School of Continuing Education and was just as quickly turned away. I peppered them with embarrassing pleas to reconsider, until one annoyed administrator replied that "inconsistency and concern permeate each semester" of my transcript. Ouch.

That I still ended up having the privilege to pursue my curiosity feels like a miracle and I owe a large debt of gratitude to many people. I would like to thank:

? My former project-mate Eric Hielscher, with whom I carved out many of the ideas present in this thesis.

? My advisor, Dennis Shasha, who gave us guidance, support, discipline and chocolate almonds.

? Professor Alan Siegel, who helped me get started on this grad school adventure, taught me about algorithms, and got me a job which both paid the tuition for my Masters and trained me in "butt-time" (meaning, I needed to learn how sit for more than an hour).

? The job that Professor Siegel conjured for me was reading for Nektarios Paisios,

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who became my friend and collaborator. We worked together until he graduated, and I think both bene ted greatly from the arrangement. ? Professor Amir Pnueli, who was a great teacher and whose course in compilers strongly in uenced me. ? My oor secretary, Leslie, who bravely shields us all from absurdities so we can get work done. Without you, I probably would have dropped out by now. ? Ben, for being a great friend and making me leave my o ce to eat dinner at Quantum Leap. ? Geddes, for demolishing the walls we imagine between myth and reality. Stay stubborn, reality doesn't stand a chance. ? Most of all, I am grateful for a million things to my parents, Irene Zakon and Arkady Rubinsteyn.

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