Meeting Time:
MW 250-430, 130FR, and Thursday 130-300, 164 WVH (note non-standard time on Thursday).News:
Instructor:
Mitchell Wand 326 WVH, 373-2072 Email: wand@ccs.neu.edu WWW: http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/wand
Grader:
That would be me.Knowledge Goals:
To learn the fundamentals of semantics of programming languages, mostly using PCF as a running example.
We aim to cover:
- Basics of operational semantics: big- and small-step semantics, substitution and environment semantics, continuation semantics. Type safety and progress.
- Basics of denotational semantics. Our big goal is to get through adequacy for the standard semantics of PCF.
If time permits, we will spend some time on the untyped lambda-calculus or maybe the pi-calculus.
We may spend some of our time attacking some of these theorems with automated theorem-provers like Isabelle/HOL or Coq.
All of this is subject to change. I hope we will be able to tailor the material to fit the folks who actually enroll.
Skill Goals:
In addition to learning the material, I expect you to learn some skills:- I expect that you will improve your skills in mathematical proof and in proof-writing.
- I expect that you will improve your LaTeX skills.
Prerequisites:
CSG 711, Principles of Programming Languages (Intensive) or CSG 111, Principles of Programming Languages, or equivalent.
Requirements:
There will be some problem sets. There may be a larger "term-paper"-sized final project. There may be some student presentations. I haven't entirely figured this out yet. It will depend in part on the size of the class. I don't intend to give a final exam.Communications
Bookmark this page as http://www.ccs.neu.edu/course/csg264 .
The mailing list for the class is csg264@lists.ccs.neu.edu
Everyone should subscribe to this mailing list by completing the form
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The list consists of the class members and me and is available for you
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Last modified: Fri Sep 12 10:42:51 EDT 2008