CMPT 384 D1

Course Synopsis

This course considers modelling and programming techniques appropriate for symbolic data domains such as mathematical expressions, logical formulas, grammars and programming languages. Topics include recursive and functional programming style, grammar-based data abstraction, simplification and reduction transformations, conversions to canonical form, environment data structures and interpreters, metaprogramming, pattern matching and theorem proving.

Instructor's Objectives

Computer programs, English text, algebraic equations, musical scores and logical formulas are all examples of symbolic data domains. Programs that address many problems involving these domains carry out their tasks primarily by manipulating expressions in special purpose languages. This course will focus on one of the most important programming paradigms that provides convenient support for such programming applications: functional programming. In particular, the Haskell programming language designed to support this paradigm will be introduced to support the techniques used in addressing symbolic computing problems.

Prerequisites

CMPT 225, and (MACM 101 or ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)).

Topics

Languages: expressions and grammars.
Symbolic data: atoms, lists, structures.
Principles of functional programming.
Functional programming with Haskell.
Recursive programming and structural induction.
Lexical analysis and parsing.
Programs and grammars as data objects: metaprogramming, interpreters.
Algebraic expressions as data objects: symbolic math.
Logical formulas as data objects: theorem proving and the basis of logic programming.

Schedule

Tuesdays: 11:30-13:20, SUR 5240, Jan. 3 - Apr. 2, 2019
Thursdays: 11:30-12:20, SUR 5240, Jan. 8 - Apr. 4, 2019
Final Exam: Tuesday, Apr. 16, 2019, 12:00-15:00, SUR 3090

Contact Info and Office Hours

Professor
- Rob Cameron
- email @sfu.ca: cameron
- Burnaby office: TASC 9215
- Surrey office: Galleria 4178
- Surrey lab: Galleria 4120
- Open lab hours (Surrey): MWF 11:00-12:00
TA
- Nigel Medforth
- email @sfu.ca: nmedfort
- Surrey lab: Galleria 4120
- Open lab hours (Surrey): TR 1:30-3:00

Grading

Assignments, 40%; Midterm, 20%; Final Exam, 40%.

Assignments and midterms are learning opportunities with feedback.
If you study your mistakes and demonstrate improved knowledge on the midterm or final, you can improve your mark:
- The midterm percentage replaces any lower assignment 1 or 2 mark.
- The final exam percentage replaces any lower assignment or midterm mark.

adjusted_mark (mark, out_of) final_percentage =
    ((max (mark/out_of) (final_percentage/100)) * out_of, out_of)

Timeliness is important, but good work is even more important.
- Late policy for assignments: 5% per day, max 4 days.

Final Exam: Tues. Apr 16 @ 12:00 noon - 3:00 pm, Room TBD.

Alternative Project-Based Evaluation: Parabix/icgrep
- Start with the Parabix Familiarity Exercise
- Requires completion of Parabix assignment with > 80% mark.
- Requires > 80% on midterm exam.
- Requires an instructor-approved project proposal
- Grading basis: 20% assignments, 20% midterm, 60% final project.