CPSC425 Principles of Programming Languages

Instructor:

Dr. Adrienne Bloss

Office Hours:

Mon 4:00-5:00

Office:

365-C Trexler

Wed 2:30-3:30

Phone:

375-2434

Tues, Thurs: 1:30-2:30

E-Mail:

bloss@roanoke.edu

Also by appointment

Course Objectives: This course is about the design and implementation of programming languages. Topics include formal descriptions of language syntax and semantics, lexical and syntax analysis, attributes and binding, data types and data abstraction, scope and lifetime, parameter passing, memory management, and exception handling. Object-oriented concepts will be re-examined and functional and logic programming will be introduced.

Prerequisite: CPSC 270 (Algorithms).

Text: Modern Programming Languages: A Practical Introduction, by Adam Brooks Webber, Franklin, Beedle & Associates, 2003. Supplementary materials may also be provided.

Course Topics and Schedule (Tentative)

Week of	Topic	Chapter(s) in text
Jan 12	Introduction Grammars and syntax	Ch 1, 2
Jan 19	Syntax and semantics Introduction to ML	Ch 3, 5
Jan 26	Language systems Lexical and syntax analysis	Ch 4
Feb 2	More ML; TEST 1	Ch 7
Feb 9	Types and polymorphism	Ch 6, 8, 9
Feb 16	Scope Parameters Runtime memory models	Ch 10, 18, 12
Feb 23	Heap management; TEST 2	Ch 14
March 1	!!!!!!!! Spring Break !!!!!!!!
March 8	Java revisited: object orientation and exception handling	Ch 15, 16, 17
March 15	Introduction to Prolog	Ch 19
March 22	More Prolog	Ch 20
March 29	Cost Models; TEST 3	Ch 21
April 5	Formal semantics	Ch 23
April 12	History of computing: oral presentations	Ch 24
April 19	Wrap up and catch up

Assignments: Assignments will be provided regularly to help students assimilate the material we discuss in class. Assignments will vary in size, may be theoretical or applied in nature, and may or may not include programming. Unless otherwise stated, assignments are due at the beginning of class on the specified date, and late assignments will not be accepted. Students may consult with other students in the class on assignments, but these are not group projects -- everyone's work should be substantially their own. See section on Academic Integrity below.

Oral Presentations: Each student will give an oral presenation on some aspect of the history of programming languages during the last week of class. Guidelines will be distributed and topics will be assigned shortly after spring break.

Attendance Policy: Regular class attendance is essential to success in this course. Students are expected to attend every class and are accountable for all material and assignments in any missed classes.

Grading Policy: The course grade will determined as follows:

The instructor reserves the right to modify this scale in favor of the student.

Tentative Test Dates:

Test dates are subject to change with at least one week's notice.

Make-up Policy: Everyone is expected to take tests and the exam at the scheduled time. Make-ups will be given only for legitimate, documented absences that the instructor has been notified of ahead of time. Make-up tests, if given, may be oral.

Academic Integrity: Tests and exams are to be solely the work of the individual student. Students are permitted to consult with each other on assignments, but such consultation should be limited. In particular, assignments are not to be treated as group projects, and copying someone else's work or turning in work that is substantially someone else's is NEVER allowed. This rule is meant to simulate the common real-life environment in which everyone is expected to be highly productive on an individual basis, but the occasional exchange of ideas is permitted and even encouraged. Students are always encouraged to get help from the instructor.

Computer Use Policies: All students must abide by the Computer Use policies of Roanoke College. Failure to do so will result in involuntary withdrawal from the course.