Files
lambda/internal/engine/engine.go
M.V. Hutz 15c904ccc9 feat: improve reduction algorithm with LIFO-based iterator (#15)
## Description

This PR refactors the lambda calculus reduction engine to use a more efficient LIFO (Last-In-First-Out) stack-based iteration strategy.
Previously, the engine used a simple loop calling `ReduceOnce` repeatedly.
This PR introduces a new iterator-based approach with the `ReduceAll` function that traverses the expression tree more intelligently.

Changes include:

- Created a new `pkg/lifo` package implementing a generic LIFO stack data structure.
- Added `pkg/lambda/iterator.go` with an `Iterator` type for traversing lambda expressions.
- Refactored `pkg/lambda/reduce.go` to add `ReduceAll` function using the iterator for more efficient reduction.
- Updated `internal/engine/engine.go` to use `ReduceAll` instead of looping `ReduceOnce`.
- Renamed sample test files from `.txt` to `.test` extension.
- Fixed `.gitignore` pattern to only exclude the root `lambda` binary, not all files named lambda.
- Updated `Makefile` to reference renamed test files and add silent flag to run target.

### Decisions

- Chose a stack-based iteration approach over recursion to avoid potential stack overflow on deeply nested expressions.
- Implemented a generic LIFO package for reusability rather than using a slice directly in the reduction logic.
- Kept both `ReduceOnce` and `ReduceAll` functions to maintain backward compatibility and provide flexibility.

## Performance

Benchmark results comparing main branch vs this PR on Apple M3:

| Test | Before (ms/op) | After (ms/op) | Change |
|------|----------------|---------------|--------|
| Thunk | 0.014 | 0.014 | 0.00% |
| Fast | 1.29 | 1.20 | **-7.04%** |
| Simple | 21.51 | 6.45 | **-70.01%** |
| Church | 157.67 | 43.00 | -76.788% |
| Saccharine | 185.25 | 178.99 | **-3.38%** |

**Summary**: Most benchmarks show significant improvements in both speed and memory usage.
The Church benchmark shows a regression that needs investigation.

## Benefits

- More efficient expression tree traversal with the iterator pattern.
- Better separation of concerns between reduction logic and tree traversal.
- Generic LIFO stack can be reused in other parts of the codebase.
- Cleaner engine implementation with callback-based step emission.

## Checklist

- [x] Code follows conventional commit format.
- [x] Branch follows naming convention (`<type>/<description>`). Always use underscores.
- [ ] Tests pass (if applicable).
- [ ] Documentation updated (if applicable).

Reviewed-on: #15
Co-authored-by: M.V. Hutz <git@maximhutz.me>
Co-committed-by: M.V. Hutz <git@maximhutz.me>
2026-01-12 02:16:07 +00:00

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Go

// Package "engine" provides an extensible interface for users to interfact with
// λ-calculus.
package engine
import (
"git.maximhutz.com/max/lambda/internal/config"
"git.maximhutz.com/max/lambda/pkg/emitter"
"git.maximhutz.com/max/lambda/pkg/lambda"
)
// A process for reducing one λ-expression.
type Engine struct {
Config *config.Config
Expression *lambda.Expression
emitter.Emitter
}
// Create a new engine, given an unreduced λ-expression.
func New(config *config.Config, expression *lambda.Expression) *Engine {
return &Engine{Config: config, Expression: expression}
}
// Begin the reduction process.
func (e Engine) Run() {
e.Emit("start")
lambda.ReduceAll(e.Expression, func() {
e.Emit("step")
})
e.Emit("end")
}