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[F'22 Online Information] [Basic Information] [Announcements] [Calendar/Assignments]
Welcome to CS 4100, Programming Languages
Course Description
This course
will introduce you to the principles of the design, evaluation,
and implementation of computer programming languages. As such it
is not a crash course to teach you to program in a half dozen
new dialects, although you will find learning new languages
easier as a result of this study. Our emphasis will be on the
kinds of features languages might have, how they influence a
programmer's thought process, and how they may be implemented on
a computer.
At
this level of study, we will find that complex tradeoffs between
language principles coupled with a variety of differing goals
often can lead designers to radically different design
decisions. There seems to be no single "right" way to design a
programming language, no single language that is "right" for all
applications. You will be asked to explore some of these
tradeoffs through a series of writing assignments in which your
thought process and ability to balance fairly many aspects of
complex issues will often be more important than the conclusions
you reach. Because of this subject matter and pedagogical
approach, this course meets the University graduation
requirement for Writing Proficiency, and you will need to have
passed the University Writing Proficiency Screening Test before
enrolling.
(The above paragraphs are from Dr. Ray Zarling's CS 4100 course description, with permission.)
Announcements and Upcoming Events
9 Dec 2022 |
Exam time is Wed, 12/14, 8:30 - 10:30 am.
To finish your semester: Turn in Final Exam. Either to CS Homework, or physically to me during exam time, or to both. Turn in Final Paper. To Turnitin (mandatory), and also to either CS Homework, or physically to me in exam time, or to both. Turn in Peer Review responses. Either to CS Homework or to me in exam time. Turn in the Peer Reviews your classmates did for you, so they can earn points, during exam time. (Or before.) Turn in Midterm re-do, physically to me in exam time. (Or before.) For the physical items -- the peer reviews and midterm re-dos -- you can turn them in early if you want. Either during office hours (I shall schedule more on, at least, next Monday), or by sliding them underneath my DBH office door. |
2 Dec 2022 | DBH 288 on Monday, to work on Lisp / Pascal code. Remember to bring your CS Lab password. (Same password you used for the CS Homework site.)
Map of second floor of DBH: https://www.csustan.edu/campus-maps/demergasso-bava-hall/2nd-floor |
4 November 2022 |
At least once in the days between 11/6 and 11/14, write an entry in your Assignment 1 journal that responds to this prompt:
Write about one strength that you have.
Suggestions (new list) for strengths you could write about: I follow through on my commitments. I am dependable. I am self-aware. I have overcome hardship. I help other people when I can. I advocate for others. I take care of my health. I keep going, at least most of the time! I am creative. I can adapt to change. I have hobbies. (Most of list courtesy K. Oehme, Florida State U) |
25 Oct 2022 |
News articles you might be interested in: "The best states in the US for tech jobs", Computerworld, 20 Oct 2022. "Developer jobs: Nearly a third of top tech roles remain empty, say recruiters: Despite hiring freezes and layoffs, companies of all sizes need software professionals - and there simply aren't enough to go around", ZDNet, 20 Oct 2022. |
25 Sept 2022 |
At least once in the days between 9/26 and 10/3, write an entry in your Assignment 1 journal that responds to this prompt:
Write about one strength that you have.
Suggestions for strengths you could write about: I am a good team member. I learn from my mistakes. I am an effective leader. I am able to do meaningful research. I am always learning how to be a better student. I help move projects forward. I am skilled at public speaking. I am empathetic towards others. I am a source of good energy. (Most of list courtesy K. Oehme, Florida State U) |
25 Sept 2022 |
Please submit revised proposals to the CS Homework site if at all possible. I can see them easily there.
If you resubmit to Canvas (or if you have already resubmitted to Canvas, anytime after 9/16), it would be wise to email me to tell me to look for the new submission. Canvas will not show me any sign of a resubmission unless I know where to look. |
26 Aug 2022 | Career Fair on Sept 28, 1-4. (Some preparation events before then, to help with resume creation, etc.) Career Center Events, Fall 2022 |
22 Aug 2022 | Welcome to CS 4100! |
Canvas Learning Management System, where some class activities, and paper submissions to Turnitin.com will be done.
Daily Screening Forms, to be completed before coming to campus each (class) day.
Document scanning apps for smartphones that past students have recommended: CamScanner, Genius Scan, Adobe Scan. (Note that the professor doesn't care if the apps leave watermarks on your scans, as long as the documents are readable.)
Textbook is Principles
of Programming Languages: Design, Evaluation, and Implementation
(Third Edition), by Bruce J. MacLennan
Instructor: Dr. Megan Thomas
Office: Demergasso-Bava Hall 279
Email: mthomas@cs.csustan.edu
Web Page: www.cs.csustan.edu/~mthomas
Best way to contact Dr. Thomas:
Email mthomas@cs.csustan.edu Please put "CS4100" in the subject
line of the email.
Prerequisite: Completion
of the "Golden Four" lower division GE courses, and
CS 3100.
Warning: I reserve the right to make changes to the
syllabus at any time during the term by announcing them in class
and on the course web page.
Projects and Assignments |
30% |
Midterm Exam | 20% |
Term Project | 30% |
Final Exam | 20% |
Total | 100% |
The recordings are only for use of students in Fall 2022 CS 4100, and should not be shared with anyone outside the class.
When in physical classes, audio or video recording (or any other form of recording) of classes is not permitted unless expressly allowed by the faculty member as indicated in the course syllabus or as a special accommodation for students who are currently registered with the Disability Resource Services Program and are approved for this accommodation. Recordings allowed as special accommodations are for the personal use of the DRS-approved student, and may only be distributed to other persons who have been approved by the DRS program. Faculty may require the student sign an Audio / Video Recording Agreement, which they may keep for their records.
The Writing Center website is located at http://www.csustan.edu/writingcenter/
Phone: Writing Center: (209) 667-3465
Email: writingcenter@csustan.edu
Computer Science & Information Systems from the CSU Stanislaus Library
Lecture Extra Information
(The contents of this web page are borrowed liberally from Dr. Melanie Martin's CS 4100 course description, with permission.)