For developing a compiler that translates theoretical computer science concepts into a minimalist programming language

In 1993, a Swiss computer science student invented a minimalist programming language. It consists of only eight commands, yet in principle it can perform everything that other languages can do. While it is not suited for practical applications, it can be used to teach theoretical concepts in computer science. Kristof Kulber sought a way to design functional programs with this minimal language nonetheless. To achieve this, the young researcher wrote a compiler — software that automatically translates the commands of a conventional programming language into the code of the minimalist one. This allowed him to create programs such as a game and a calculator. The key to his success was a carefully designed memory management system and a mechanism for restoring program states.