First Semester 1999-2000 (991)

Catalog Description: Concepts of Programming Languages: Syntax and semantics, Data types, control structures, subprograms, exception handling, run-time storage management. Programming paradigms: Imperative, functional, logical, object-oriented and concurrent

Course Objectives: The objectives of this course are:

1. [Concepts & Design Principles]

To introduce the basic concepts and design principles of programming languages

2. [Programming Language Paradigms]

To expose the students to four major programming language paradigms and their features

3. [Syntax and Sematic Description Techniques]

To enable the precise understanding of programming language syntax and semantics through the study of different widely-used syntax and semantic description techniques.

4. [Practice with Programming in Important Languages]

          To allow the student obtain a first hand experience in using contemporary languages through programming
          assignments.

Textbook: Concepts of Programming Languages, By. R. Sebesta, 1996, 3^rd Ed.

1. See the file bibliography.rtf from the programming languages course page. Appropriate articles will be referred from it as the course progresses.
2. Programming Languages Resource Reference Material as available from the instructor’s home page and the numerous documents and links to sources contained therein.
3. Java Reference Material as available from the instructor’s home page and the numerous links to sources contained therein.

• Attendance is taken at the beginning of the class.

• Official excuse for any absence of a class must be presented not later than one week after that class.

• Missing nine classes will result in a 'DN' grade in the course.

• Homework and programming assignments must be in class on the due date.

• No make up for exams or any other class work will be made.
• Plagiarism, copying and other anti-intellectual behavior are prohibited by the university regulations. Violators may have to face serious consequences. See the attached clip from the university rules in Arabic.

In order to do well in this course the following points are to be noted and considered in your planning:

• Your attitude to learn and the effort you put in for this course alone will be the primary agents that guide you in this course.
• Emphasis is on reasoning and planned & regular work towards this course and not on memorization.
• Taking notes is important. Once you take a note of what you consider to be important bits and pieces of information, write it down in your notes. On the same day after the class, review the relevant material and then prepare detailed notes. Later incorporate the same into your submissions. Such regular recollection, review, revision, and documentation will turn out to be very important in grasping the material and doing well in quizzes and examinations.
• Regular interaction during the class & during the instructor's office hours is encouraged. There is nothing like a silly question. By raising doubts and posing questions, you will be helping yourself, others in the class, and the instructor in steering the coverage towards the weak points. So keep one thing in mind during this course:

• it is better to raise a doubt or pose a question, rather than suppressing it and face difficulties later on.

• If you do not follow the instructor's pace/language, request him to slow down. Likewise, when you do not understand certain words or sentences request for an alternative explanation.
• Reading, written & programming assignments as well as quizzes & examinations are part and parcel of the course. They are expected to supplement the coverage in the class/lab. So treat them that way instead of facing them just as tests for evaluating your performance.
• There is no substitute for a regular (daily) preparation for this course. It will be far less effective, even if you spend two times more effort just before the examination days.
• Good luck and best wishes for a good semester.