“Programming languages are the medium through which we describe computations. More specifically, we use the model provided by a programming language to discuss concepts, formulate algorithms, and reason about problem solutions. Programming languages define models tailored to thinking about and solving problems in intended application areas. For example, the C language provides a model close to a computer’s underlying hardware […]. The languages used in practice change continuously as advances in our field and the broadening uses of technology change how we model and express computation. At its core, the study of programming languages examines the principles and limitations of computing (or programming) models, the effective design and use of systems or languages based on these models, and methods to compare their relative strengths and weaknesses in particular contexts.” [Why Undergraduates Should Learn the Principles of Programming Languages, ACM SIGPLAN Education Board, February 6, 2011, Page 1]This course is an introduction to the theory and design of programming languages. To develop high-assurance software - software for which we can give strong evidence that the software will do what it is supposed to do and nothing more - a formal description of the 'meaning' and behaviour of programs is required. Hence two fundamental aspects of the study of programming languages are their syntax, and their formal semantics. High-assurance software is not only needed for safety-critical software, but also for program transformations, such as carried out by optimising compilers.Topics covered in this course include formal semantics of programming languages (such as operational, denotational and axiomatic), type systems, higher-order functions and lambda calculus, concurrency, and communication.
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Requisite and Incompatibility
To enrol in this course you must have successfully completed COMP6442 and COMP6260; or be enrolled in Master of Computing (Advanced)
Referenced entries (2)
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Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Understand the role of theoretical formalisms, such as operational and denotational semantics
Apply these semantics in the context of programming languages
Evaluate differences (advantages/disadvantages) of these theoretical formalisms
Create operational or denotational semantics of simple imperative programs
Analyse the role of types in programming languages
Formalise properties and reason about programs
Apply basic principles for formalising concurrent programming languages
Reflect on current approaches to reason about concurrent systems and evaluate their limitations
Published offerings
Future offerings are indicative. Only recognised 2027 sessions with a published class number are offered in the enrolment demo.
| Year | Session | Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Second Semester | 10098 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |
| 2028 | Second Semester | 10858 | 24 Jul 2028 | 31 Jul 2028 | 31 Aug 2028 | 27 Oct 2028 | In Person | N/A |
Complete offering text
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage. The list of offerings for future years is indicative only. Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number. 2027 2028 Second Semester Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary 10098 26 Jul 2027 02 Aug 2027 31 Aug 2027 29 Oct 2027 In Person N/A Second Semester Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary 10858 24 Jul 2028 31 Jul 2028 31 Aug 2028 27 Oct 2028 In Person N/A
Source evidence (2 saved copies)
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Published ANU page · saved page URL
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