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35238 - Computational Models and Languages M

Academic Year 2011/2012

Teacher	Enrico Denti
Number of credits	6
SSD	ING-INF/05
Teaching Mode	Traditional lectures
Lingua	Italian

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Learning outcomes
Course contents
Readings/Bibliography
Teaching methods
Assessment methods
Teaching tools
Language of instruction
Links to further information
Office hours

Learning outcomes

This 60-hour course aims to provide a rational view over the fundamental concepts of programming languages, relating them to the different computational models and to the problem of language translation and recognition. More precisely, we discuss the main formal methods for language definition, in terms of syntax and semantics, for both programming languages and specification languages, and relate them to different computational models. The main techniques for language evaluation and recognition are also presented. Students will then be able to define reasonably simple languages understanding their properties, implementing the corresponding interpreters, and evaluating the pros and cons of different choices/computational paradigms in application design. Multi-paradigm and multi-language issues are also presented.

Course contents

The course aims to provide a rational view over the fundamental concepts of programming languages, relating them to the different computational models and to the problem of language translation and recognition. Detailed contents: Formal description and implementation of programming languages: grammars and Chomsky classification. Relationship between grammars and language interpreters/translators: lexical analysis, top-down and bottom-up techniques for the syntactical analysis of regular languages and context-free languages. Overview on methods for the formal description of the semantic aspects of a language. Basic concepts about the structure and construction of interpreters/compilers, and their run-time support: examples in the java language. Semi-automated tools for parser generation: JavaCC/JTB and others. Introduction to non-imperative programming styles: Prolog as a tool to ease parser construction from the language formal semantics. Hybrid applications mixing Prolog and Java. XML-based grammars and XSLT-based interpretation: possible approaches. Petri Nets as a model for system description and their computation power and expressiveness. Introduction to foundational languages. Javascript as an example of a functional language with a prorotype-based object model. Introduction to Multi-paradigm and Multi-language programming.

Readings/Bibliography

Please refer to the course's web portal for up-to-date information.

Teaching methods

Powerpoint slides (whose PDF printouts are available from the teacher's Web portal before the corresponding lecture) are projected and discussed during class hours. Exercises are continuously interleaved with theoretical concepts and immediately discussed. Autonomous lab activities are welcome and promoted by suggesting ideas and possible test projects.

Assessment methods

The exams consists of an oral discussion, which can include the presentation and discussion of a work project previosly agreed between teacher and student, and developed by the student autonomously. The project design and development of a case-study application is mandatory if the student also selected the 3-credit extra Work Project in this subject.

Teaching tools

The teacher's web portal (http://edenti.deis.unibo.it) provides updated information, copy of the slides projected and discussed during the lecture hours, some extra material, and suggested books.