core unit for the CS stream of the newly introduced MCS

New Unit for MCS CS stream.

Core in Masters of Computer Science, full Level 5 elective for other Masters Courses

No similar units exist in the faculty. CSE5430 is a natural extension of CSE3322. While CSE3322 (as a unit) is not a formal prerequisite, much of the material covered in CSE3322 is prerequisite knowledge for this unit

The Masters of Computer Science has been introduced as a new degree for postgraduate students to specialize in computer science with the option to continue studies at PhD level. Programming languages are one of the core topics in computer science and a solid knowledge of their foundations is expected from most computer science graduates who want to perform research. CSE5430 is one of the units communicating this knowledge.

With successful completion of the unit, the student will

(1) appreciate the importance of a rigorous treatment of the semantics of programming languages (2) will have achieved a broad understanding of the role of a semantic specification in the process of designing and implementing a language (3) know the basic different approaches for defining the semantics of programming languages: operational, axiomatic, denotational, algebraic (4) be able to write a semantic specification for simple programming language constructs (5) understand and be able to construct proof of simple program properties (6) will understand the role of a formal semantic specification in compiler generation

The subject takes a practical hands-on approach to programming language semantics where students can explore the concepts through the use of high-level tools based using semantic specification. Main topics are: Distinguishing syntax from semantics. Concrete and abstract syntax. Syntax as a basis for semantics. Outline of the main approaches for giving meaning to programming languages. Fundamental concepts of programming languages and their relation to design decisions. Examples of formal semantic specification for real-world programming languages. Semantic analysis of programming languages. Implementation of programming languages with high-level tools.

• Peter D. Mosses. Fundamental Concepts and Formal Semantics of Programming Languages, Lecture Notes.
• David A. Watt. Programming Language Syntax and Semantics, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 1991.
• Betrand Meyer. Introduction to the Theory of Programming Languages, Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, 1990.
• Peter D. Mosses. Action Semantics, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 1992.

Lectures and Tutorials, Theoretical and Practical Assignments.

Lectures explain the fundamental concepts and introduce the various formalisms. They also give an introduction to computational tools that work with semantic specifications. Tutorials focus on hands-on work with these tools. As the students actively use the formalisms when working with these tools, their familiarity with the formal methods and their understanding of the strengths and awareness of the limitations of these methods is increased. Theoretical assignments focus on simple tasks, such as proofs of a particular program property, and are intended to highlight the potential use of these methods as well as pitfalls in their application.

Lectures provide the broad overview of the use of semantic specifications and elaborate on the use of semantic specifications in the process of designing and implementing a language. By embedding the use of semantic specifications into the broader context of language design and implementation the student will learn to appreciate the practical usefulness of these formal methods. The technical use of formal semantics specifications will be explained in detail in the lectures, but will mainly be practised in the tutorials through hands-on experiments. The use of tools that can actually execute these formal specifications will motivate the students and will provide a very direct and interactive learning experience. Additionally, theoretical aspects will be reinforced in written assignments.

Written theoretical assignments, practical assignments in using formal specifications and tools.

Theoretical Assignments test the in-depth understanding of the use of formal specifications to analyse or proof program properties as well as the students' ability to distinguish between different forms of semantic definitions and the understanding of their comparative advantages. Practical assignments test the students' ability to write a formal specification for given programming language constructions. The ability to understand/interpret a formal semantics specification will be tested in a mixture of both assignment forms. Where appropriate, practical assignments will also test the proficiency in the use of tools.

This unit comprises 2 hours of lecture plus 1 hour of optional tutorials per week. An additional 8 hours of private study and unsupervised pracs per week on average are estimated for review and assignment preparation.

Lecture theatre with data projection for 2 hours per week.

1 hour per week

2 hrs per week

"1.0" EAS for Lectures. Tutoring requirements depending on enrolment.

• Software Title:
• Vendor:
• Version:
• OS: MS Windows XP ( ) and/or LINUX ( )
• License Details: (A valid software license certificate/s or Vendor permission must be available upon request if the software is to be installed for teaching)
• Are we currently licensed: Yes ( ) or No ( ) (If unsure, please check with your local IT support )
• If (Yes), who is the contact person for this software?:
• If (No), will the software license be arranged by: Staff member requesting the software ( ) or Technical Services* ( ) ? *If the latter is selected, please discuss your requirement/s with myself ASAP, prior to finalising your request, as there could be financial or resourcing implications.
• Is the software to be installed and accessed from a: Client/Workstation ( ), or Server ( ) ?
• Type of license: Site License ( ), Freeware ( ), FOSS (Free and Open Source Software) ( ), Shareware ( ), Lab based ( ) # of Licenses needed ____
• In what week will you commence using the software in class? Semester 1 (Week ___ ) and/or Semester 2 (Week ___ ):
• Nominated Staff For Acceptance Testing Software: (Name) (Phone) (Email)
• Additional Information: Special Requirements, Software Configuration/Installation Requirements, etc:

Unix account with access to the following software:

SML/NJ (free software from www.smlnj.org, already required for CSE3322); Sicstus Prolog (CSSE-wide license exists); SWI Prolog (free (lesser GNU) from www.swi-prolog.org) SOS-execution tools (requires Prolog, these tools are still in construction and will be provided by the lecturer during Semester 1)

Additional compiler construction may be required in some years. If so, freely available non-commercial tools will be used.

No new requirements, core material is available online.

100% CSSE Bernd Meyer and Maria Garcia de la Banda

none

none

CSE3322 (when considering equivalence, only that part of CSE3322 covering topic areas listed below is required) or entry to the Master of Computer Science degree