CSC535: Syllabus

You must sign up for PIAZZA as soon as possible.

• https://piazza.com/depaul/fall2012/csc535/home
• Free mobile versions for android and ios.

Semantics is the mathematical study of the meaning of programs.

The goal is finding ways to describe program behaviors that are both precise and abstract.

• precise so that we can use mathematical tools to formalize and check interesting properties
• abstract so that properties of interest can be discussed clearly, without getting bogged down in low-level details

• To prove specific properties of particular programs (i.e., program verification)
  • Still fairly labor-intensive
  • But important in some domains (safety-critical systems, hardware design, security protocols, inner loops of key algorithms, ...)
• To develop intuitions for informal reasoning about programs
• To prove general facts about all the programs in a given programming language (e.g., safety or isolation properties)
• To deeply understand language features (and their interactions) and develop principles for better language design

The following lecture plan is tentative and subject to change as the course progresses.

• Class 1: [2010/09/05] Numbers, lists, basic proofs
• Class 2: [2010/09/12] Polymorphism, functions as data
• Class 3: [2010/09/19] Propositions and evidence
• Class 4: [2010/09/26] Logic in Coq
• Class 5: [2010/10/03] Imperative programs
• Class 6: [2010/10/10] Program equivalence
• Class 7: [2010/10/17] Hoare logic
• Class 8: [2010/10/24] Small step semantics
• Class 9: [2010/10/31] Types
• Class 10: [2010/11/07] Simply typed lambda calculus
• Class 11: [2010/11/14] Take-home final due

Lecture slides will be available after each lecture. They will not normally be available before the lecture.

CSC447 or my permission.

We are using an online book available from the course homepage.

The course requires you to actively engage the material.

• You must read before class.
• You must start homework immediately after class.
• You must post questions on PIAZZA two days after homework is assigned, not two days before it is due.

In-class students must attend class.

Online students must watch the class within 24 hours.

Your grade will be computed from:

• Weekly homework: 80% (this includes a take-home final)

  Your assignment each week will be to do the exercises rated 2 or higher, including those that are recommended. You can skip the optional exercises.

  Each problem will count equally toward your final grade (10 point each).

  Hand in homework on COL.

• Participation (in class and via PIAZZA): 20%

You are encouraged to collaborate on homework assignments in small groups (two is ideal).

Homework is due before each class.

No late homework.

• If you have extenuating circumstances you must tell me at least one week BEFORE the assignment is due.

No extra credit.

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