Organization of Programming Languages
CSC 350
Fall 1999
Illinois College
Robert Sebesta text cover -- Concepts of Programming LanguagesInstructor: Albert L. Crawford
Office: Baxter 104C
Office Hours:
        MW 11:00 - 11:50,
        MW 2:00 - 2:50,
        TTh 1:15 - 1:50.
E-mail: crawford@hilltop.ic.edu
Web page: http://hilltop.ic.edu/~crawford

Text: "Concepts of Programming Languages, 4th Edition" by Robert Sebesta.

The Course: This course is a study of the concepts underlying high level programming languages. This includes formal language theory, data types, scoping, control structures, and subprograms. Also included in the course are various programming concepts, including functional and logical programming.

Assignments: The students will be given reading assignments and programming assignments throughout the course. Included in these assignments will be several assignments using the programming language Java and about two assignments in the language LISP.  These assignments will be weighted at 10 to 25 points each.

Parser Applet Test

Color and Timer Applet Test
Working Java source code for expression evaluator  EBNF:  Number { '+' Number }

Project: Each student will be required to learn on their own a programming language.  The project will have several phases
 

  1. Chose three programming languages and write a one page description of each.
  2. Determine the student's project language, install the language in the advanced lab and run a test program in that language.
  3. Write a significant program in the language of choice.  This program must demonstrate the unique features of the language.
  4. Write a paper in the language.  The paper must have sections that describe the concepts we have learned in the course as it applies to the language.
  5. Present the paper to the class.  A handout plus the presentation must be sufficient to give the rest of the class a good start in learning the language.  The presentation should also give the other students an understanding as to why the language would be one that would be useful to learn.
Quizzes: There will be 0 to 10 in class quizzes given throughout the semester. These will be weighted from 10 to 20 points each. These may be either announced or unannounced. No makeups will be given for quizzes.

Exams: There will be two regular hour exams during the semester. These exams will be weighted at 100 points each.

Final: The final examination will be weighted at 150 points and will cover the material from the entire course with the material from the last third of the course being given the most weight.

Makeup of work: Should an absence be known ahead of time the student should so inform the instructor and get his approval. Work that is due during such an absence should be turned in prior to the absence or sent to class with a classmate. If an exam is scheduled during such an absence the student may be required to take the exam early.

Makeups for missed regular exams will not be given unless the reason for the absence is determined by the instructor to be valid and necessary. It is the students responsibility to make the reason for the absence known to the instructor as soon as is reasonably possible.

Grades: All grades will be based on a 90, 80, 70, 60 percentage of all points for grades of A, B, C, and D. Any "curves" that will be placed on the grades will be made on the individual tests and not at the end of the semester. Such curves are not likely. Final grades will not include a "+" or "-".

Course Requirements: It is expected that all assignments be complete and turned in on time. Late or incomplete assignments will be given a score of -100% until they are completed. At that time they will be given a score of zero.

Cheating: I do not expect this paragraph to apply to anyone. However, in the very unlikely event that a student is caught cheating please see the student "blue book" for the penalties that the instructor has the authority to apply.

Attendance: Again, I do not expect this paragraph to apply to anyone. However, you are expected to attend class. Any unexcused absence is considered excessive. If such absences reaches three or more the student will receive a letter grade reduction in his/her semester grade and given a warning. Upon the next unexcused absence the student will be dropped from the class with a grade of F. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class.