Semantics of Programming Languages

Code:

CC3033

Acronym:

CC3033

Level:

300

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Computer Science

Instance: 2024/2025 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Web Page:	https://www.dcc.fc.up.pt/~nam/Teaching/slp24
Responsible unit:	Department of Computer Science
Course/CS Responsible:	Bachelor in Computer Science

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
L:CC	26	study plan from 2021/22	3	-	6	48	162

Teaching language

Portuguese

Objectives

Introduction to different programming paradigms and their different concept and features. We will study the main components of programming languages and some of the tools that are used to describe in a precise way the behaviour of their main constructs.

Learning outcomes and competences

By the end of the semester the student should be able to describe and formalize the essential concepts of each paradigms, as well as understand the tools and methods necessary for develop new programming languages.

Working method

Presencial

Pre-requirements (prior knowledge) and co-requirements (common knowledge)

Computational Logic, Models of computation, Imperative , Logic, and Functional programming languages

Program

Introduction to the different programming paradigms. Syntax, semantics and implementation of languages. Transition systems
Imperative programming:
General concepts: variables, assignment, control commands, blocks
Operational semantics: abstract machines, estrutural operational semantics
Functional programming:
General concepts: function definition, recursion
Type systems
Operational semantics
Logic programming:
General concepts: terms, predicates, clauses
Herbrand Universe; Operational and denotational semantics

Mandatory literature

Hanne Riis Nielson; Semantics with applications. ISBN: 978-1-84628-691-9
Maribel Fernández; Programming languages and operational semantics. ISBN: 0-9543006-3-7

Complementary Bibliography

Thérèse Hardin, Mathieu Jaume, François Pessaux, Véronique Viguié Donzeau-Gouge; Concepts and Semantics of Programming Languages: a semantical approach with Python and Ocaml , Wiley, 2021. ISBN: 9781786305305
Flemming Nielson; Formal methods. ISBN: 978-3-030-05156-3 (Ebook)
Robert W. Sebesta; Concepts of Programming Languages, Pearson, 2018. ISBN: 9780135102268
Kent D. Lee; Foundations of Programming Languages, Springer, 2017. ISBN: 978-3-319-70789-1
Richard Bird; Introduction to functional programming using Haskell. ISBN: 978-0-13-484346-9 pbk

Teaching methods and learning activities

Lectures and  lab classes for problem solving and case studies. Distributed evaluation without final examination . Two tests with weight 50%.


Assignments are proposed about all topics of the syllabus. Some practical projects can be also proposed during the course, Midterm and final examinations allow the assessment that the main learning outcomes are attained.

Software

Linguagem Prolog
Linguagem Haskell
Programming Languages Zoo (http://plzoo.andrej.com)

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation without final exam

Assessment Components

designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Teste	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	114,00
Frequência das aulas	48,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Presence at 3/4 of the pratical classes

Calculation formula of final grade

Students are required a minumum of 6 (out of 20) in each test.
The date for the first test is in the middle of the first semester and the second is the one set for the regular exam.The final grade (MT - midterm test, FE - final exam)
F = MT*(0.5) + FE*(0.5)
MT,FE >= 6 e F >= 9.5

Examinations or Special Assignments

Practical assignment up to 3/20.

Classification improvement

Students can take the resit exam to raise their grade.