Overview
Programming Languages are the duct tape, bricks, mortar and steel of the information age. Over the last thirty years, a variety of languages with diverse features have been developed, expressing radically different perspectives of the idea of computation. CSE 130 is an introduction to some of these perspectives, as well as the fundamental concepts of languages.
We shall focus on two different paradigms – functional and logic programming as embodied in Haskell and Prolog. Many students will be encountering these paradigms, languages and idioms for the first time. As with spoken languages, these are best absorbed by immersing yourself in the different environments and practicing your skills by experimentation.
Integrity of Scholarship
University rules on integrity of scholarship will be strictly enforced. By taking this course, you implicitly agree to abide by the UCSD Policy on Integrity of Scholarship described here. In particular,
all academic work will be done by the student to whom it is assigned, without unauthorized aid of any kind.
You are expected to do your own work on all assignments. You may, and are encouraged to, engage in general discussions with your classmates regarding the assignments, but specific details of a solution, including the solution itself, must always be your own work.
You may use Copilot/ChatGPT etc. for your programming assignments, but do so at your own risk: the midterm(s) and final examinations will be heavily based on the assignments, and doing well in them will require a thorough understanding the solutions to the programming assignments. These exams will be entirely analog: no tools other than your brain and a writing instrument are to be used.
Incidents which violate the University’s rules on integrity of scholarship will be taken seriously. In addition to receiving a zero (0) on the assignment/exam in question, students may also face other penalties, up to and including, expulsion from the University. Should you have any doubts about the moral and/or ethical implications of an activity regarding the course, please see the instructor.
Research
Your class work might be used for research purposes. For example, we may use anonymized student assignments to design algorithms or build tools to help programmers. Any student who wishes to opt out can contact the instructor or TA to do so after final grades have been issued. This has no impact on your grade in any manner.