The Dutch parallel reduction machine project

factors in mind, the Dutch PRM-group has concentrated its research mainly on the basic problems of efficient implementation. First we introduce functional programming languages , discussing advantages, disadvantages and implementation issues. Then we address the important topic of the underlying reduction model. Furthermore we discuss the sequential and parallel implementation of the model we have chosen and the architecture of the experimental parallel reduction machine. In November 1984 three research groups at the universities of Amsterdam, Nijmegen and Utrecht started a cooperative project sponsored by the Dutch Ministry of Science and Education (Science Council). The first phase lasting until the end of 1987 is a pilot study and has as aim to answer the following question. Is it possible and realistic to construct an efficient parallel reduction machine? The present paper gives an outline of the problems concerning parallel reduction machines and of our research towards their solutions.