Programming Language Theory

Catalog description

This course is an introduction to the formal study of programming languages, demonstrating important intellectual tools for the precise description of programming languages and investigating the essential features of programming languages using these tools. Topics include: dynamic semantics (such as operational semantics); static semantics (such as type systems); proofs by induction on structures and derivations; formal treatment of essential programming-language features (such as assignment, scope, functions, objects, and threads). Both written and programming assignments will be required.