Editing Abstract machine (section)

== Structure ==
A generic abstract machine is made up of a [[Memory cell (computing)|memory]] and an [[Interpreter (computing)|interpreter]]. The memory is used to store data and programs, while the interpreter is the component that executes the instructions included in programs.<ref name=":3" /> 
[[File:The_structure_of_an_abstract_machine.png|thumb|The structure of an abstract machine]]
The interpreter must carry out the operations that are unique to the [[Programming language|language]] it is interpreting. However, given the variety of languages, it is conceivable to identify categories of operations and an "[[Execution (computing)|execution mechanism]]" shared by all interpreters. The interpreter's operations and accompanying data structures are divided into the following categories:<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Accattoli |first1=Beniamino |last2=Barenbaum |first2=Pablo |last3=Mazza |first3=Damiano |date=2014-11-26 |title=Distilling abstract machines |url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2692915.2628154 |journal=ACM SIGPLAN Notices |language=en |volume=49 |issue=9 |pages=363–376 |doi=10.1145/2692915.2628154 |s2cid=234775413 |issn=0362-1340}}</ref>

# Operations for processing [[Primitive data type|primitive data]]: 
# Operations and data structures for controlling the sequence of [[Execution (computing)|execution of operations]];
# Operations and data structures for controlling [[Data communication|data transfers]];
# Operations and data structures for [[memory management]].

=== Processing primitive data ===
An abstract machine must contain operations for manipulating primitive data types such as strings and integers.<ref name=":3" /> For example, integers are nearly universally considered a basic data type for both physical abstract machines and the abstract machines used by many [[Programming language|programming languages]]. The machine carries out the [[Arithmetic|arithmetic operations]] necessary, such as addition and multiplication, within a single time step.<ref>{{Cite web |last=baeldung |date=2018-01-11 |title=Introduction to Java Primitives {{!}} Baeldung |url=https://www.baeldung.com/java-primitives |access-date=2022-05-31 |website=www.baeldung.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Sequence control ===
Operations and structures for "sequence control" allow controlling the [[execution (computing)|execution flow]] of program instructions. When certain [[Conditional (computer programming)|conditions]] are met, it is necessary to change the typical sequential execution of a program.<ref name=":3" /> Therefore, the [[interpreter (computing)|interpreter]] employs data structures (such as those used to store the [[Address (programming language)|address]] of the next instruction to execute) that are modified by operations distinct from those used for data manipulation (for example, operations to update the address of the next instruction to execute).<ref>{{Citation |title=Interpreter |date=2004 |work=Software Architecture Design Patterns in Java |publisher=Auerbach Publications |doi=10.1201/9780203496213 |isbn=978-0-8493-2142-9 |last1=Kuchana |first1=Partha }}</ref>

=== Controlling data transfers ===
Data transfer operations are used to control how operands and data are transported from [[Memory cell (computing)|memory]] to the interpreter and vice versa. These operations deal with the [[Stored-program computer|store]] and the retrieval order of operands from the store.<ref name=":3" />

=== Memory management ===
[[Memory management]] is concerned with the operations performed in memory to allocate data and applications. In the abstract machine, data and programmes can be held indefinitely, or in the case of programming languages, memory can be allocated or deallocated using a more complex mechanism.<ref name=":3" />