15-851 Computation and Deduction

Spring 2001

Frank Pfenning

TuTh 1:00-2:20

WeH 5409

12 units

We explore the theory of programming languages using deductive systems. We use such systems to specify, implement, and verify properties of functional and logic programming languages. The deductive approach to the specification of programming languages has become standard practice, and one of the goals of this course is to provide a good working knowledge of how to engineer such language descriptions. Throughout the course we will use Twelf as a uniform meta-language in which we can express specification, implementation, and meta-theory of the object languages we are considering. An implementation of Twelf and examples will be available on-line for experimentation.

Prerequisites: This is an introductory graduate course with no formal prerequisites, but an exposure to functional programming and type systems would be helpful. Enterprising undergraduates are welcome to attend this course.

What's New?

For a list of suggested projects, please see the suggested projects page from the 1997 version of the course.
Assignment 5 consists of Exercise 5.15 on schematic types (pp. 144-145 of course notes in Chapter 5)
A model solution on Exercise 5.11 on checking linearity is now available.
The complete Chapter 6 on Compilation are now available. This now includes a section on type preservation and progress.
Chapter 4 on The Elf Programming Language is now available.

Class Material

Schedule
Assignments
Handouts
Software
Overview

Course Information

Lectures	TuTh 1:00-2:20, WeH 5409, Frank Pfenning
Office Hours	Wed 1:30-2:30, WeH 8117, Frank Pfenning Mon 4:00-5:00, WeH 8402, Brigitte Pientka (Teaching Assistant)
Textbook	Computation and Deduction Frank Pfenning. Cambridge University Press, 2001 (in preparation). This will not be published in time for this class. Copies will be available here for students.
Credit	12 units
Grading	40% Homework, 30% Midterm, 30% Final Project
Homework	Weekly homework is assigned each Thursday and due the following Thursday. Late homework will be accepted only under exceptional circumstances.
Final Project	Final project topics will be selected after the midterm. Projects consist of a term paper and a Twelf implementation. Projects are due on Thursday, May 3.
Midterm	Tuesday, March 6, in class. Closed book, one sheet of notes permitted.
Topics	Functional Programming, Mini-ML, Natural Semantics, Type Preservation Judgments as Types, Dependent Types, LF, Twelf Abstract Machines, Compilation, Compiler Correctness Natural Deduction, Sequent Calculus, Cut Elimination Logic Programming, Resolution, Soundness, Completeness Logical Relations, Observational Equivalance Parametric Polymorphism, Subtyping, Intersection Types, Recursive Types Temporal Logic, Modal Logic
Home	http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~fp/courses/comp-ded/
Directory	/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/fp/courses/comp-ded/

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Frank Pfenning