Simon Pepper (professor)
Simon Pepper is a computer scientist and academic known for his contributions to functional programming, particularly in the areas of lazy evaluation, graph reduction, and compiler technology. He is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow, Scotland.
Pepper's research has significantly impacted the theory and practice of functional programming. He is known for his work on the G-machine, an abstract machine designed for implementing lazy functional languages, and its successor, the Spineless Tagless G-machine (STG). He also has expertise in program transformation techniques and the design of functional programming languages.
Pepper was involved in the development of several functional programming languages and tools, including the Glasgow Haskell Compiler (GHC), one of the most widely used Haskell compilers.
Beyond his technical contributions, Pepper is also recognized for his contributions to computer science education. He has authored and co-authored several textbooks on functional programming and programming paradigms. His work is often cited in academic research and serves as a key resource for students learning about functional programming.
His research interests include:
- Functional Programming
- Compiler Technology
- Program Transformation
- Lazy Evaluation
- Graph Reduction
- Programming Languages