CSE 6341 (previously: 755): Programming Languages, Syllabus

• Prerequisites: CSE 3321 (Formal languages, Automata theory), and CSE 3341 (Prog. Languages)
  This is a graduate core class; if you are an undergrad and have strong math abilities (at least B/B- in CSE 3321, 3341), you should do ok; if not, you should not take this class.

• Credits: 3

• Course homepage: www.cse.ohio-state.edu/~neelam/courses/6341/index.html  is the course homepage and will contain most of the handouts distributed in class. It may also contains other useful information.
  Important: I will try to keep the web page up-to-date. But what I say in class (or post on the newsgroup) is what counts. Copies of assignments etc. once handed out in class become official, independent of whether they are on the web page or whether you are able to access the page etc.

• Course Objectives: The principal course objective: Discuss ways to formally define syntax and semantics of programming languages. We will also talk a bit about programming methodologies (functional programming, logic programming, etc.)

  Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Master using attribute grammars for specifying context-sensitive grammars;
  • Master using the meta-circular approach to defining operational semantics of Lisp;
  • Master using the axiomatic approach to reasoning about the behavior of imperative programs;
  • Be familiar with using structured operational semantics;
  • Be familiar with defining the denotational semantics of imperative languages.

• Grading : The distribution of weights below is tentative. Repeat: This distribution is tentative.
  • Homeworks : 15%
  • Programming project: 15-20%
  • Exams
    • Midterms: 35% (two mid-terms, 17.5% each)
    • Final: 35%
    The final course grade will depend heavily on your performance in the exams since most students do reasonably well in the homeworks and programming project. Of course, if you blow off the project, that will have a serious effect on your final grade.