Module: Comparative Programming Languages

Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Comparative Programming Languages
Module Code	CA341
School	School of Computing
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Brian Davis Semester 2: Brian Davis Autumn: Brian Davis
Module Teachers	Brian Davis
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Coursework Only

Description

This module will introduce the student to essential programming concepts on which modern programming languages are designed. This module will allow students to understand design choices in current programming languages, and to readily understand the features that may introduced into future programming languages.

Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the essential concepts underpinning modern programming languages.
2. Evaluate a programming language with respect to its design choices and appropriateness for a given programming task
3. Implement a fundamental programming task and data structure in an imperative and declarative fashion
4. Compare a procedural programming language with an object oriented programming language within the context of programming language design concepts
5. Compare a functional programming language with a logic programming language within the context of programming language design concepts
6. Evaluate one programming language in detail within the programming language design and implementation (i.e. Typing and Scope, Pointers and Memory Management, Abstraction)

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	Formal lectures
Assignment Completion	50	No Description
Independent Study	51	No Description
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Execution Environments
Complied vs Interpreted Programs, Bindings.

Typing and Scope
Primitive types, Constructed Types, Static vs Dynamic Types Languages, Type Inference, Algebraic Data Types, Dependent Types, Scope in Blocks, Scope in Namespaces, Static vs. Dynamic Types.

Pointers and Memory Management
Explicit and Implicit pointers, Memory Management, Garbage Collection.

Abstraction
Control, Procedural and Data Abstractions, Functions.

Parameter Passing
Parameter Matching and Parameter Passing Mechanisms.

Assertions and Exceptions
Pre- and Postconditions, Loop Invariants, Program Correctness.

Object-Oriented Programming Paradigm
Classes, Sub-classes, Inheritance, Multiple Inheritance, Interfaces, Polymorphism (incl. Parametric Polymorphism).

Memory Models
Shared, Distributed and Associative Memory.

Logic Programming Paradigm
Search vs. Computation, Unification, The Prolog Database.

Functional Programming Paradigm
Functions as First-Class values, Closures, Partial Application, Lambda Functions.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
Group assignment	Imperative Programming Assignment. Students will implement a fundamental search task and abstract data type in a procedural and object orientated programming language of their choice. Students must describe and document their solution in detail and compare and contrast both programming paradigms in a critical report.	25%	Week 3
Group assignment	Declarative Programming Assignment. Students will implement a fundamental search task and abstract data type in a functional and logic based language of their choice. Students must describe and document their solution in detail and compare and contrast both programming paradigms in a critical report	25%	Week 6
Loop Quiz	Students will complete 5 fortnightly Loop Quizes which will test the knowledge and comprehension of each unit of teaching based.	35%	Every Second Week
Report(s)	Students will write a critical analysis (report) on a programming language of their choice. The assessment criteria of the report will be underpinned by the programming language design concepts covered during the entire module.	15%	Sem 2 End

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

M. Ben-Ari: 1996, Understanding Programming Languages, John Wiley & Sons, 978-047195846
John C. Mitchell: 2003, Concepts in programming language, Cambridge University Press, New York, 978-052178098
David A. Watt: 2004, Programming Language Design Concepts, John Wiley & Sons, 978-047085320
0: Programming Language Pragmatics, 4, San Diego; Morgan Kaufmann, 284282
2015: Concepts of Programming Languages, 11, Pearson,

Other Resources

None

Programme or List of Programmes

CASE	BSc in Computer Applications (Sft.Eng.)
COMSCI	BSc in Computer Science
ECSA	Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)
ECSAO	Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing)

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