Programming Paradigms

Rationale:

Much software has been developed in procedural programming languages which make use of similar control constructs and which differ only in the application area with which the software is associated. The modern programmer, however, may choose from a wide selection of languages, each of which offers a new perspective on the task of software construction. This module aims to provide the candidate with an overview of modern programming languages and the programming paradigms they implement.

Aims:

• To explore a range of modern programming languages and programming techniques
• To appreciate the contribution language designers can make to software engineering practice
• To select appropriate software development tools for given application environments

Objectives: 

• To be able to compare and contrast a range of programming paradigms
• To evaluate programming language features critically with respect to the way they support good software engineering practice
• To discuss the appropriateness of the use of a given programming paradigm within a given environment

Content:

1 THE NATURE OF PROGRAMMING LANGUAGES

• Imperative languages v non-imperative languages
• Scripting languages
• Data-oriented languages
• Object-oriented languages
• Event-driven programming
• Language standardisation

2 PROGRAMMING ENVIRONMENTS

• Compilers
• Interpreters
• Interactive development tools
• Run-time support environments
• Debugging tools
• Testing tools
• Configuration management

3 OBJECT ORIENTATION

• Basic concepts: objects, classes, methods, overloading methods, messages inheritance: overriding methods, single inheritance, multiple inheritance Interfaces (e.g. in Java), encapsulation, polymorphism

4 FUNCTIONAL PROGRAMMING

• Definition of a function: domain and range, total and partial functions, strict functions
• Recursion
• Referential transparency
• Side effects of functions

5 LOGIC PROGRAMMING

• Basic constructs
• Facts: queries, existential queries, conjunctive queries, rules
• Definition of a logic program
• Semantics of a logic program
• Recursive programming: Computational model of logic programs, unification
• Goal reduction
• Negation in logic programming

6 RELATED ISSUES

• Visual programming
• Concurrency
• Distribution