This course focuses on high-level concepts that are mostly oblivious to choices of programming languages and environments. However, in order to provide concrete realizations of these concepts, we will use Python as the primary programming language and a POSIX environment as the primary operating system.
Submissions will be in the form of packaged, well documented source files. Proper documentation and packaging of source code and other material is a crucial component of assigned work and submissions failing in this regard will receive no credit.
Other Languages: If you prefer to use other programming languages or systems, please contact me by the third class meeting. I am quite open to the idea, and encourage interested students to explore it further. However, please check with me very early in the semester so that we can determine the specifics to make sure your submissions can be tested and graded fairly. You should avail of this option only if you are confident enough of your programming skills to not require any programming help, and are prepared to take on additional work. This option is designed for students who are proficient in Python and wish to use this opportunity to master another language, not for students weak in Python and who wish to avoid it. Anyone granted this option will still be responsible for all the material related to the default languages and systems used in the course.
Literate Programming: All submitted work must use a literate programming style: Your programs must be designed with a human as the intended reader, although they must also direct a computer correctly. Programs that do not meet this requirement are likely to receive a zero score with no further consideration. Details will be discussed in class.