Course co-ordinator(s): Dr Joe Wells (Edinburgh), Dr Idris Skloul Ibrahim (Edinburgh).
Aims:
- To gain understanding of different language paradigms
- To gain understanding of defining concepts of programming languages
- To develop skills in programming in languages from key paradigms
Detailed Information
Course Description: Link to Official Course Descriptor.
Pre-requisite course(s): F27SB Software Development 2 & F27CX Introduction to Computer Systems (GA) .
Location: Edinburgh.
Semester: AY.
Syllabus:
- Overviews of language history, definition (lexicon, syntax, semantics), implementation (compiler, interpreter, virtual machine)
- Overviews of language paradigms: e.g. imperative (high-level, system, low-level), declarative (functional, logic), concurrency/parallelism
- Overviews of programming language concepts: variable, lvalue & rvalue, assignment (sharing/copying), data abstraction (sequential, structured, recursive, shared/distributed), type mechanisms (weak/strong, static/dynamic, ad-hoc/parametric polymorphism), declaration (scope, extent), control abstraction (sequence, choice, repetition, block, procedure, labels/jumps, exceptions, processes), expression abstraction (functions), parameter mechanisms (value, reference), evaluation mechanisms (strict/lazy, ordered/unordered, concurrent)
- An introduction to programming in languages from key paradigms e.g.
- scripting: e.g. Python
- declarative/functional: e.g. SML
- declarative/logic: e.g. Prolog
Learning Outcomes: Subject Mastery
- understanding of distinguishing characteristics of language paradigms
- understanding of relationships between languages
- understanding of generic language concepts
- ability to program in languages from key paradigms
- ability to use tool sets for these languages
- ability to relate learned knowledge to work based computing projects
Learning Outcomes: Personal Abilities
- Understanding of how to choose an appropriate language for different problem domains
- Can relate and/or apply learned knowledge at work place
- Take significant responsibility for their work and for a range of resources
- To be aware of distinctive features of programming languages and of the impact of their choice on industrial projects
- Can communicate effectively with work colleagues on learned issues
Assessment Methods: Due to covid, assessment methods for Academic Year 2020-21 may vary from those noted on the official course descriptor. Please see the Computer Science Course Weightings and the Maths Course Weightings for 2020-21 Semester 1 assessment methods.
SCQF Level: 8.
Credits: 15.