CS 320: Principles of Programming Languages

Goals and Expectations

• History of Programming Languages
• 3 Major Paradigms
• Interesting language features and what they allow
  • e.g., functions as first-class types
• To give you:
  • Ability to read unfamiliar languages
  • Ability to pick up new languages
  • Experience with a functional language

You will:

• Program in LISP and Haskell
• Present on a current or historical language
• Integrate topics in a series of reflective journal entries.

Reasons Sebesta gives for studying Concepts of Programming Languages:

• Increased capacity to express ideas
• Improved background for choosing an appropriate language
• Increased ability to learn new languages
• Better understanding of the significance of implementation:
  • why languages are designed the way they are
  • ability to use a language more intelligently
  • help with debugging, become more efficient

• Another reason is to benefit the CS community (or at least 1 employer)