McMaster University
CAS 706

Lectures  Extra material  Languages and compilers  Assignements Presentations

Lectures

Monday and Thursday 14:00-15:20 in ITB/222. First lecture will be Monday Spetember 12th.

Calendar Description

Design, definition and implementation of programming languages. Programming language paradigms; syntax, attribute grammars, typing; axiomatic, operational and denotational semantics; correctness proofs; implementation techniques, virtual machines; design and implementation of Domain-Specific Languages. code generation and optimization

Course Pages: http://www.cas.mcmaster.ca/~carette/CAS706/W2011.
This is where you will find further information, announcements and useful Electronic versions of the assignment sheets will also be kept there.

It is the student's responsibility to be aware of the information in the course Web pages, and to check regularly for announcements. links.

Evaluation

40% assignments, 35% in-class presentation, 25% final exam.

All examinations in this course will be Closed Book. That is, no written or printed material nor a calculator may be used during the examinations.

The instructor reserves the right to conduct any deferred exams orally

Topics

The major topics are most likely to be presented in an interleaved manner that allows applying theory in practice with less delay. The course material will be chosen from a selection of the topics below

Definite attention will be paid to all language paradigms, with an emphasis on the appropriateness of each language to particular tasks. Students can expect assignments in up to a dozen languages, from the likes of C, Fortran, Java, C++, Ocaml, Haskell, Prolog, Scheme, Mercury, Perl, Python and Ruby. Additional languages will be used for illustration purposes. Knowledge of logic (ex: CAS 701, taken concurrently is ok) is required.

Assignments

The assignments below are not final, but instead a copy of those for the version of the course I last offered. This year's assignment will be similar.
  1. Parametrized quicksort. Languages: D, Ruby, Clojure, Prolog.
  2. Lambda calculus interpreter. Languages: Lua, Scala, Haskell, lambda-Prolog.
  3. Typed Lambda calculus interpreter. Languages: Go, Groovy, F#, Mozart-oz.
  4. Fun with scripting languages. Perl, python.

Textbooks and web materials

Required: Types and Programming Languages Benjamin C. Pierce

Presentations

 Topics to choose from (* items need to be covered). Further topics will be added in the first 2 weeks of lectures.

Additional resources

Googling for "introduction to lambda calculus" and "lambda calculus interpreter" yield a lot of useful resources

Notes:

Discrimination

"The Faculty of Engineering is concerned with ensuring an environment that is free of all adverse discrimination. If there is a problem that cannot be resolved by discussion among the persons concerned individuals are reminded that they should contact their Chair, the Sexual Harassment Office or the Human Rights Consultant, as soon as possible."

Course modifications

The instructor and university reserve the right to modify elements of the course during the term. The university may change the dates and deadlines for any or all courses in extreme circumstances. If either type of modification becomes necessary, reasonable notice and communication with the students will be given with explanation and the opportunity to comment on changes. It is the responsibility of the student to check their McMaster email and course websites weekly during the term and to note any changes.

Academic Dishonesty

You are expected to exhibit honesty and use ethical behaviour in all aspects of the learning process. Academic credentials you earn are rooted in principles of honesty and academic integrity.

Academic dishonesty is to knowingly act or fail to act in a way that results or could result in unearned academic credit or advantage. This behaviour can result in serious consequences, e.g. the grade of zero on an assignment, loss of credit with a notation on the transcript (notation reads: Grade of F assigned for academic dishonesty), and/or suspension or expulsion from the university.

It is your responsibility to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. For information on the various types of academic dishonesty please refer to the Academic Integrity Policy [http://www.mcmaster.ca/academicintegrity].

The following illustrates only three forms of academic dishonesty:

  1. Plagiarism, e.g. the submission of work that is not one's own or for which other credit has been obtained.
  2. Improper collaboration in group work.
  3. Copying or using unauthorized aids in tests and examinations.

Individual assignments have to be solved by one person only, any outside source, this includes asking other people, or using any books or information found on the web has to be documented. In complience with the senate regulations on academic integrity I remind you that: People who let other people copy are as guilty as the ones who copy. You are allowed to consult outside sources, meaning textbooks or the web, but any use of an outside source must be documented. Similarly, group assignments must be solved by members of that group only, and the above policies apply as well.

In the case the instructor or a TA has the impression that an assignment is copied, the instructor can ask the corresponding students to explain exactly how the assignment was prepared and take appropriate actions.

Online Component

In this course we will be using Avenue. Students should be aware that, when they access the electronic components of this course, private information such as first and last names, user names for McMaster e-mail accounts, and program affiliation may become apparent to all other students in the same course. The available information is dependent on the technology used. Continuation in this course will be deemed consent to this disclosure. If you have any questions or concerns about such disclosure please discuss this with the course instructor.

Last revised: Aug 20011