COP 4020 meeting -*- Outline -*-

* the course itself

  needed: the CTM textbook

** What is a programming language?
------------------------------------------
  PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE

def: a *programming language* is
a language that is

def: a *general-purpose langauge*
is one that is not tailored to some
particular application area.

Examples: 


def: an *special-purpose language*
is a language that is designed to
support some particular application.

Examples:

-----------------------------------------
	... capable of
        expressing all computations

	For example, Scheme and C++ are programming languages.
	Q: Others?
		AspectJ, Ruby, Python,
                Java, Ada, PL/I, BASIC, COBOL, Pascal, SNOBOL, Icon,
		Algol W, Algol 60, Algol 68, C, Haskall, Edison, ...
		(literally thousands)

	But the techniques we'll study aren't just limited to
	general-purpose programming langauges.

	These don't have to be able to compute all computable functions.
	examples: Lotus 1-2-3 macros,
		  the MFC class library,
                  MUMPS,
		  JavaScript, VBA, Cold Fusion
	Q: Others?

	Formal languages are also used in a variety of settings:
		music, knitting, mathematics, engineering, ...

** objectives

   Q: What are your objectives for this course?
   Q: How do you want this course to help you in 5 years?
   
   (make a list)

   My objectives for you:

   - quickly learn
      new programming languages,

   - effectively use them,

   - Evaluate what combination 
     of programming model would best solve a given problem, 

   Why these objectives?
       - langauges are changing constantly
          people also use several at one time
       - learn new languages quickly
	    mapping ideas from this class to the language
            read/write language reference manual

       - knowing good ways to program is fundamental to CS

       - good programming techniques are closely related to good
         language design (abstraction)

          - most programs evolve into languages, or have language parts
          - programming languages aren't good

       - concurrent hardware is going to cause a fundamental change soon

** plan for the course
------------------------------------------
           PLAN FOR THE COURSE

Use the textbook Concepts, Techniques,
and Models of Computer Programming
by Peter Van Roy and Seif Haridi
(MIT Press, 2004).

Broadly:

 - Different programming models
     esp. declarative
          declarative concurrent
          message passing
          relational
 - Kernel language approach

Uses the language Oz
 
------------------------------------------

   Explain these models briefly
   Explain kernel language approach briefly

   Note emphasis on concurrency
     important, due to new hardware!

   Assuming they already know the explicit state and OO models.

------------------------------------------
  REASONS FOR LEARNING DECLARATIVE MODELS

 - Makes certain programs clearer

       - can see all inputs
              eval(exp, env)

       - functions as arguments helps in:
              abstraction
              modularization

       - cleaner concurrency (stateless)

 - gives you more ways to solve problems

 - ideas important for:

        - algorithm design
        - specification
        - describing programming languages
        - web services

 - it's interesting and fun
------------------------------------------

** outcomes

   Q: How should we test for the objectives?

   My essential learning outcomes:

   - [Concepts] understand, use, apply concepts and terms

   - [UseModels] use each essential model in programming model
     to solve problems in Oz

   - [EvaluateModels] For each essential programming model
     convincingly evaluate its advantages
     for solving a given problem

   - [MapToLanguages] Convincingly explain what features 
     in C, C++, and Java 
     support each essential programming model
   
** syllabus

   start with basic ideas, kernel language approach Oz (base camp)

   then a bunch of extensions (declarative -> concurrent, relational)

*** textbook

    show it
------------------------------------------
     REQUIRED TEXTBOOK

Concepts, Techniques, and Models 
of Computer Programming
  by Peter Van Roy and Seif Haridi 
  (MIT Press, 2004)

------------------------------------------

*** grading
------------------------------------------
    GRADING

+ No curve grading

+ Your grade is
     65% based on tests
     35% on homework
------------------------------------------
	moral: use homeworks to learn, cheating on homework won't help

        quizzes used to 
            - get students to read for first exposure on own time,
            - make class more productive
            - make class more interactive

        quizzes only 2 points, graded on the spot, instant feedback

	details in grading_policy.shtml web page

*** cooperation and cheating

------------------------------------------
        COOPERATION

Can talk with others about homework
   - but must cite them

Can cooperatively do homework
   - but must carefully certify
     (see grading policy for details)

         CHEATING

Exchange of finished answers
  - without cooperation in solving them
  - without certification

Using ideas of others
  - without citation

Copying answers from the web
  - without citation
------------------------------------------

        See grading policy for details.

*** plan for class meetings

    - assign you a specific reading 
       (perhaps with a self assessment quiz on WebCT?)

    - discussion based on readings
    - discuss problems and skills, give examples, 
        have you try it (ungraded), discuss questions

    - discuss (add to book)
         relation to C, C++, and Java
         other langauges
         (some formalism)
         what makes "good" programs: 
              e.g., abstraction, maintainence issues
         potential homework ideas
         relation to our outcomes and objectives

*** ask for questions/concerns
	discuss them