Course co-ordinator(s): Dr Jamie Gabbay (Edinburgh), Dr Mohammad Hamdan (Dubai).
Aims:
- To develop skills in programming language definition
- To develop skills in programming language implementation
Detailed Information
Course Description: Link to Official Course Descriptor.
Pre-requisite course(s): F28PL Programming Languages .
Location: ALP, Dubai, Edinburgh.
Semester: 2.
Syllabus:
Language definition:
- lexicon: non-terminal & terminal symbols, type 3 grammars, regular expressions, finite state automata, Moore & Mealey machines, left & right recursion
- concrete syntax: type 2 grammars & BNF, factoring grammars, converting left to right recursion, LL(K) & LR(K) grammars, push down automata, parsing
- abstract syntax: abstract syntax from concrete syntax
- static semantics: types
- dynamic semantics: overviews of axiomatic, denotational & operational semantics; introduction to structural operational semantics (SOS) for declarations, expressions, statements
Language implementation:
- lexical analysis
- syntax analysis: recursive descent for LL(1)
- abstract syntax tree (AST) construction
- AST pretty printing
- overview of interpreter/abstract machine
- AST interpretation
- static analysis of AST: e.g. type checking, identifier resolution
code generation e.g.: register/memory allocation, structured constructs as test/jump, structured data as structured memory sequences, stack discipline for
- blocks/subroutines, parameter passing
- run time environment: e.g. heap allocation, garbage collection, debugging support
- compiler construction tools e.g. Lex, Yacc, JavaCC based on simple imperative language
Learning Outcomes: Subject Mastery
Understanding, Knowledge and Cognitive Skills Scholarship, Enquiry and Research (Research-Informed Learning)
- Ability to construct & manipulate lexical & syntactic definitions
- Understanding of relationship between grammars & automata
- Ability to construct lexical & syntactic analysers from definitions
- Familiarity with static & dynamic semantics, and associated formalisms
- Ability to generate & traverse ASTs
- Ability to construct AST-based analysers, interpreters & code generators for simple languages
- Understanding of run-time environments
- Ability to use compiler construction tools
Learning Outcomes: Personal Abilities
Industrial, Commercial & Professional Practice Autonomy, Accountability & Working with Others Communication, Numeracy & ICT
- Appreciation of problem solving as language definition & implementation
- Ability to apply appropriate language oriented formalisms, tools & techniques in solving problems
- Skills in engineering complex software artefacts
Assessment Methods:
Assessment: Examination: (weighting – 60%) Coursework: (weighting – 40%)
Re-assessment: Examination: (weighting – 100%)
SCQF Level: 9.
Credits: 15.