Learning Goals
The learning goals describe what we want students to know or be able to do by the end of the semester. We evaluate whether learning goals have been achieved through assignments, exercizes, exams, and the final project. These goals are:
- Students will learn to use abstract interpretation to formally prove that an analysis is sound and will terminate. They will also learn to analyze the scalability of a program analysis and compare the precision of different analysis techniques.
- Students will learn to implement program analyses that verify program properties and find bugs using dataflow analysis, interprocedural analysis, alias analysis, and symbolic execution. Furthermore, they will learn how program analysis frameworks can leverage abstract interpretation ideas in order to reuse the vast majority of analysis boilerplate.
Prerequisites
15-251 and (15-150 or 15-214)
Role in the Software Engineering Minor
This course can be used to satisfy the Technical Software Engineering requirement for the Software Engineering minor.
Evaluation
Evaluation will be based on the following approximate percentages:
- 40% assignments
- 25% exams
- 20% final project
- 15% exercises and participation
This course does not have a fixed letter grade policy; i.e. the final letter grades will not be A=90-100%, B=80-90%, etc.
Supplemental Textbook
The primary reference for this course is the instructor's course notes. For those who would like to have a second textbook as a reference, the course schedule indicates when certain topics are covered in the supplemental text. These readings are optional but we provide them for those who would like a second reference. The supplemental text is:
Nielson, Nielson, and Hankin. Principles of Program Analysis (PPA).
Time Management
This is a 12-unit course, and it is our intention to manage it so that you spend close to 12 hours a week on the course, on average. In general, 4 hours/week will be spent in class and 8 hours on assignments. Please feel free to give the course staff feedback on how much time the course is taking for you.
Late Work Policy
We understand that normal life events, including projects and exams in other courses and technical difficulties out of your control, can interfere with your ability to complete your work on time. Our philosophy is that our late work policy includes built-in flexibility but that the policy will be uniformly applied to all students in all circumstances. Exceptions to this policy will be made only in extraordinary circumstances, almost always involving a family or medical emergency with your academic advisor or the Dean of Student Affairs requesting the exception on your behalf.
For most homework deadlines you may turn in your work up to five days late using (1) free late days (see below) or (2) 10% per day penalties. Work turned in more than five days late will receive feedback but no credit, i.e., a 100% penalty.
Each student starts the semester with five free late days which will automatically be applied to your individual (non-partner-based) assignments until you have used all five free late days. A late day is automatically applied when your work is late; you may not defer a free late day to be used on a later assignment. We will make separate late day provisions for partner-based assignments.
Collaboration Policy
We expect that your work on assignments, projects, and exams will be your own work. Thus, you may not copy any part of a solution to a problem that was written by another student, or was developed together with another student, or was copied from another unauthorized source such as the Internet. You may not look at another student's solution, even if you have completed your own, nor may you knowingly give your solution to another student or leave your solution where another student can see it.Here are some examples of behavior that are inappropriate:
- Copying files or parts of files (such as source code, written text, or unit tests) from another person or source.
- Copying (or retyping) files or parts of files with minor modifications such as style changes or minor logic modifications.
- Allowing someone else to copy your code or written assignment, either in draft or final form.
- Getting help that you do not fully understand, and from someone whom you do not acknowledge on your solution.
- Writing, using, or submitting a program that attempts to alter or erase grading information or otherwise compromise security of course resources.
- Copying someone else's files containing draft solutions, even if the file permissions are incorrectly set to allow it.
- Lying to course staff.
- Copying prose or programs directly.
- Giving copies of work to others.
- Making your work publicly available in a way that other students (current or future) can access your solutions, even if others’ access is accidental or incidental to your goals.
- Coaching others step-by-step without them understanding your help.
If any of your work contains any statement that was not written by you, you must put it in quotes and cite the source. If you are paraphrasing an idea you read elsewhere, you must acknowledge the source. Using existing material without proper citation is plagiarism, a form of cheating. If there is any question about whether the material is permitted, you must get permission in advance. We will be using automated systems to detect software plagiarism.
It is not considered cheating to clarify vague points in the assignments, lectures, lecture notes, or to give help or receive help in using the computer systems, compilers, debuggers, profilers, or other facilities.
Some assignments are specifically noted as group projects. For these, interpret "you" in the preceeding paragraphs to mean "you and your partner(s)."
Any violation of this policy
is cheating. The minimum penalty for cheating (including
plagiarism) will be a zero
grade for the whole assignment. Cheating incidents will also be
reported through University channels, with possible additional
disciplinary action. For more information, see the University Policy on Academic Integrity. There is no statute of limitations for violations of the collaboration policy; penalties may be assessed (and referred to the university disciplinary board) after you have completed the course, and some requirements of the collaboration policy (such as restrictions on you posting your solutions) extend beyond your completion of the course.
If you have any question about how this policy applies in a particular situation, ask the instructors or TAs for clarification.
Accommodations
If you wish to request an accommodation due to a documented disability, please inform the instructor as soon as possible and contact Disability Resources at 412.268.2013 or access@andrew.cmu.edu.
Your health matters
When we say "your health matters" we mean exactly that: Your health matters. We don't intend to imply that other peoples' health does not matter, or that your health matters more or less than theirs. It's just that we know that CMU can be a stressful, risky environment, and your health is the health that is relevant in this conversation.
Please take care of yourself. Do your best to maintain a healthy lifestyle this semester by eating well, exercising, avoiding drugs and alcohol, getting enough sleep and taking some time to relax. This will help you achieve your goals and cope with stress.
All of us benefit from support during times of struggle. You are not alone. There are many helpful resources available on campus and an important part of the college experience is learning how to ask for help. Asking for support sooner rather than later is often helpful.
If you or anyone you know experiences any academic stress, difficult life events, or feelings like anxiety or depression, we strongly encourage you to seek support. Counseling and Psychological Services (CaPS) is here to help: call 412-268-2922 and visit their website at http://www.cmu.edu/counseling/. Consider reaching out to a friend, faculty or family member you trust for help getting connected to the support that can help.