This module focuses on formal descriptions (models) of computational behaviour. You will learn about:
- the operational semantics (formal description) of a simple 'WHILE' programming language
- the operational semantics of other styles of real-world languages, such as Java and Haskell
- equivalent definitions of algorithm, initiated in the 1930s and providing the foundations for programming languages and computation
Upon successful competition of this module a student will be able to:
- provide formal descriptions of the precise behaviour of several styles of programming language
- prove properties of such languages
- provide several formal definitions of algorithm
- link the definition of algorithm with the fundamental notion of a computable function
- Dr Azalea Raad [First Half]
- Dr Herbert Wiklicky [Second Half]