Language and compiler design for streaming applications

Summary form only given. We characterize high-performance streaming applications as a new and distinct domain of programs that is becoming increasingly important. The StreamIt language provides novel high-level representations to improve programmer productivity and program robustness within the streaming domain. At the same time, the StreamIt compiler aims to improve the performance of streaming applications via stream-specific analysis and optimizations. We motivate, describe and justify the language features of StreamIt, which include a structured model of streams, a messaging system for control, and a natural textual syntax.