CSC 533: Programming Languages
Spring 2022


12:30-1:45 TR
Eppley 110
Dr. David Reed
209A Hitchcock      x2583
DaveReed@creighton.edu



Official Text: Concepts of Programming Languages (12th ed.), Sebesta, Addison-Wesley, 2018.
Alternative Option: The 11th edition (global edition) is available for free online, and can be used as an alternative to buying the latest version.

Course Description

This course is concerned with the concepts and practice of programming languages. The first part of the course will focus on general programming language concepts such as binding, type checking, and memory management. The implementation of these concepts in different languages will be examined, with special attention paid to Java and C/C++. The second part of the course will focus on different programming paradigms: procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming. Java, C++, and JavaScript will be studied as hybrid languages, combining both procedural and object-oriented features with varying design goals. Scheme will be studied as an example of a completely different programming paradigm, one which focuses on functional composition as opposed to state transformation or object interaction. In addition, groups of 2-3 students will each research and present an overview of a modern scripting language (e.g., perl, php, python, ruby, R, scala).

The specific goals of this course are:

Course Structure

Students are expected to attend classes in person and adhere to all Creighton community standards, including behaving in respectful manner and contributing to a positive learning environment. Disruptive or disrespectful behavior may result in removal from class. Laptops are allowed and many students have found the ability to work along with the instructor very helpful.

If you must miss a class because of an emergency, you are expected to notify the instructor as soon as possible. If you are sick, contact the Student Health Education and Compliance Office (402-280-2735) immediately and follow their recommendations. Be aware that all class materials posted on Blueline, including assignments, quizzes, and discussions, are considered to be copyrighted and are intended to be used only by students enrolled in the class, for the purposes of fulfilling the course objectives. Recording lectures without permission or sharing any of these materials with others outside of the course will be considered "misuse of academic resources," as defined in the Creighton University Student Handbook. Instructor office hours will simultaneously held in person and online. Students are encouraged to attend in person if it is convenient and safe, but have the option of meeting virtually through the instructor's Zoom room. TA office hours will be conducted via Zoom.

Required Work

There will be 5-7 homework assignments, most of which will involve programming. Assignments will be submitted electronically via the class BlueLine site and will be due at midnight on the date specified. Late assignments will receive 75% of full credit if they are handed in within one week of the specified due date. After one week, no credit will be given. The group project will involve researching a modern scripting language and giving a 20-minute presentation on that language to the class. In addition, there will be 6-8 module quizzes (with the lowest quiz grade dropped), a midterm exam and a cumulative final exam. Grades will be determined as follows:

homework assignments 40 %
group project/presentation 10 %
module quizzes 05 %
midterm exam 20 %
(cumulative) final exam 25 %

At the minimum, departmental grading cutoffs for the final average will apply. That is, 93-100% guarantees an A, 90-92% an A-, 87-89% a B+, 83-86% a B, 80-82% a B-, 77-79% a C+, 73-76% a C, 70-72% a C- and 60-70% a D. Depending on class performance, some shifting of grades (in an upward direction only) may occur as final letter grades are assigned.

Regular attendance is expected of all students. If you must miss class for a legitimate reason, it is your responsibility to make up missed work. Quizzes and Assignments will not be rescheduled except in extreme circumstances. It is expected that all students check their Creighton email accounts regularly. Official announcements, such as assignment revisions or class cancellations, will be distributed through Creighton email.

Policy on Collaboration

Creighton's policy on cheating and plagiarism is spelled out in the Student Handbook, with college procedures available online. In addition to this, the following guidelines hold pertaining to programs. Programs are to be the sole work of the student -- collaboration on the design or coding of a program is not allowed. Questions regarding homework assignments should be directed at the instructor only. Students may seek debugging assistance or clarifications on assignments via the class mailing list (accessible via BlueLine). Repeat: All student interactions regarding homework assignments must take place via email to the entire class!

Violations of this policy will be dealt with severely, with possible outcomes including negative scores and failure in the course. In the case of programming assignments, you are encouraged to start early so that there is time to seek help from the instructor as the need arises.

Tentative Schedule

DATES
TOPICS
READINGS
HOMEWORK
Jan 13 Introduction, overview. (pptx) Ch 1  
18
20
Background & syntax: (pptx)
   history, paradigms, BNF, EBNF.
Ch 2
Ch 3
 
HW1: due 1/30
25
27
Variables & bindings: (pptx)
   SILLY code review,
Ch 5
 
 
HW2: due 2/13
Feb 1
3
   static vs. dynamic bindings, stack vs. heap,
   scope & lifetime.
 
 
 
 
8
10
Data types: (pptx)
   primitives, pointers, memory management, garbage collection.
Ch 6
 
 
HW3: due 2/24
15
17
Data & control: (pptx)
   strings, arrays, assignments, control statements.
Ch 7-8
 
 
 
22
24
Subprograms: (pptx)
   subprogram linkage, parameters, run-time stack.
Ch 9
Ch 10
 
HW4: due 3/24
Mar 1
3
MIDTERM EXAM
exam review
 
 
 
Presentation
8
10
SPRING BREAK -- NO CLASSES.
15
17
Language evolution: (pptx)
   C --> C++ --> Java.
Ch 11
Ch 12
 
 
22
24
Functional programming: (pptx)
   Scheme, atoms & lists, conditionals,
Ch 15
 
 
 
29
31
   recursion, Dave's Story Time, map & apply.
Scheme structures: (pptx)
 
 
HW5: due 4/11
Presentation checkin
Apr 5
7
   association lists, let, I/O, trees.
Advanced Scheme: (pptx)
 
 
 
 
12
14
   lambda, lazy evaluation,
   closures, OO in Scheme.
 
 
HW6: due 4/29
Presentation draft
19
21
Concurrency: (pptx)
   semaphores, monitors, Java threads.
Ch 13
 
 
Presentation practice
26
28
Presentations: Go, Rust, Kotlin,
Presentations: Julia, course review
 
 
 
 
May 9 FINAL EXAM    Mon, 1:00-2:40

Sample code from the lectures



Creighton University may modify, suspend, or postpone any and all activities and services immediately and without notice because of force majeure causes beyond Creighton's control and occurring without its fault or negligence including, but not limited to, acts of god, fire, war, governmental action, terrorism, epidemic, pandemic, weather, national emergencies, or other threats to the safety of students or staff. Creighton may, at its option, alter the academic schedule or provide alternate instruction modalities to meet course objectives and competencies and program outcomes, including, but not limited to, distance or remote learning, until such time as Creighton determines normal operations may resume safely.