db@lfcs.ed.ac.uk (Dave Berry) (04/11/90)
Laboratory for Foundations of Computer Science
A Three Day Course:
Programming in the Large in Standard ML
30 May - 1 June 1990
Kevin Mitchell, Dave Berry, Mike Fourman,
Ed Kazmieczak, Nick Rothwell
An advanced course in large-scale software engineering
using the Standard ML language
A primer/refresher course is available
on 28/29 May covering basic features
of the ML language needed for the full course
This is an intensive course covering the the design, formal
specification and implementation of software systems, using the
Standard ML Programming Language. The Standard ML `Core Language'
provides advanced features for constructing small- to medium-scale
systems - the Module Facility supports the assembly of program modules
into medium- and large-scale systems. The main course will cover the
modules facility, both in concept and in use for constructing large
systems. There will be a significant amount of practical work. There
will be an introduction to structured operational semantics and its
use in defining the Standard ML language. The Course will conclude
with an introduction to the formal specification of Standard ML
programs using the Extended ML specification language.
The main course is fairly intensive and attendees should be familiar
with the core language (for example, by studying the books
"Functional Programming in Standard ML" by Ake Wikstrom
published by Prentice Hall or "Elements of Functional
Programming" by Chris Reade, published by Addison Wesley).
Alternatively a two day primer to the core language is available
before the main course - this will bring newcomers to the language up
to the level required by the main course or might be used as a
refresher course.
There is a considerable amount of practical material on the course.
This will be done on Sun workstations and attendees will find it
beneficial if they are familiar with window systems such as X-windows
or Suntools and editors such as Emacs or vi, as well as Unix itself.
The registration package will include further background information.
The Standard ML Language
Standard ML is distinct in giving the full range of facilities of a
functional and list processing language with the benefit of strong
typing and implicit polymorphism. With a formal semantics for both the
static and dynamic aspects of the language, Standard ML can claim,
mathematically, to be the best understood programming language in
widespread use today. A number of implementations of the language are
available and are in use in many hundreds of sites around the world.
The language has been generally acclaimed as being fairly easy to
learn and also as having met its design goal of being particularly
suitable for large scale software engineering. SML systems are
implemented as incremental compilers thus giving the benefit of rapid
interactive working with the performance of a compiler. Participants
may take a copy of the public domain implementations away with them.
(Bring a blank tape or cartridge.)
Course Topics:
+ structures (packages)
+ signatures (interfaces)
+ functors (parameterised packages)
+ hierarchical and shared structures
+ operational semantics and the Standard ML language
+ case study - the design and implementation of a compiler.
+ formal specification of Standard ML programs
- defining functions by means of axioms
- loose specifications
- specifying interfaces
- "abstract" programs
Course Presenters:
Dr. Kevin Mitchell, Course Co-ordinator, Lecturer in the Computer
Science Department at the University of Edinburgh and member of the
LFCS. He has been involved in the Standard ML project since its
inception, is a member of the language design team and has been the
principal implementor of the Edinburgh Standard ML system. Chief
research interests are operational semantics, compiler-compilers and
the implementation of functional programming languages.
Dr. Dave Berry, Research fellow in LFCS. He is a member of the ML
design team and is working on development of ML programming
environments. His research interests include automatic generation of
software tools from formal specifications of programming languages and
object oriented programming.
Prof Michael Fourman, Professor of Computer Systems in the Computer
Science Department at the University of Edinburgh and member of the
LFCS. Research interests include category theory and its application
to Computer Science, mechanised theorem proving, hardware verification
and the design and use of functional languages. He is a director of
Abstract Hardware Ltd. which is producing advanced behavioural design
tools.
Dr. Ed Kazmierkzak, Research Fellow in LFCS. Recently imported from
Tasmania, working on Extended ML. Research interests include algebraic
specification and its use in program development, functional languages
and mechanised theorem proving.
Dr. Nick Rothwell, Research Fellow in LFCS. He is a member of the ML
design team and has designed and implemented polymorphic languages to
investigate concurrency utilisation, nondeterminism, user interaction
and typechecking. His chief research interests are development
environments and interfaces for interactive programming languages.
Booking
To secure a place on this course return the reply form or telephone
UnivEd Technologies at the number shown below.
Fees
The fee of 450 +VAT (300 for the primer) includes course notes,
lunches and light refreshments and the course dinner (to be held on
Thursday 31st). Payment is due prior to the start of the course.
Cheques should be made payable to UnivEd Technologies Ltd. For
cancellations prior to 23rd May a 20% administration charge will be
deducted from refunds; thereafter no refunds can be made.
Substitutions may be made at any time.
Academics and members of organisations affiliated to LFCS are eligible
for a 25% discount on course fees. In addition academics can apply for
significant additional discounts on standby places which are allocated
one week before the start of the course; contact Edith Field at the
number below for more information.
Venue
The Course will take place in the James Clerk Maxwell Building, The
King's Buildings, University of Edinburgh. This is the science campus
of the University, about 2 miles south of the city centre. There is
ample parking and a list of nearby hotels and guest houses is
available on request.
LFCS Courses
This is one of a number of short courses presented by the Laboratory
for Foundations of Computer Science. These courses are an introduction
to the internationally recognised research of LFCS; they combine
theoretical grounding with practical application, usually through the
use of tools. Other courses include: Functional Programming in
Standard ML; Algebraic Specification in Theory and Practice; Formal
Verification and Design; Machine Assisted Proof and Reasoning about
Concurrent and Communicating Systems; Semantics of Formal Systems.
For further information contact:
Edith Field, Continuing Education Manager
UnivEd Technologies Ltd.
University of Edinburgh
16 Buccleuch Place
Edinburgh EH8 0LL
Tel: 031-667 1011 ext.6742 Fax: 031-662-4061
________________________________________________________________________
Registration Form
Programing in the Large in Standard ML
30 May - 1 June 1990
(Primer: 29 - 30June)
Please reserve ____ places at 450 pounds + VAT (517.50)on the full course
and____ places at 300 pounds + VAT (345) on the primer.
(25% discount for Academics and LFCS Affiliates)
(also standby places for academics (200 and 100 (each +VAT) pounds for
full course and primer respecively) and research students (100 and 50
pounds (+VAT)) - contact Edith Field for more information)
Participant 1:___________________________________________
Participant 2:___________________________________________
Organisation:____________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Telephone:_______________________________________________
_
|_| I enclose a cheque for ______made payable to UnivEd Technologies Ltd.
_
|_| Payment will be made on receipt of an invoice.
Return to: Edith Field
Continuing Education Manager
UnivEd Technologies Ltd.
Freepost
16 Buccleuch Place
Edinburgh EH8 0LL
Tel: 031-667 1011 ext. 6742 Fax: 031-662-4061
Electronic mail: edith@uk.ac.ed.lfcs
_
|_| I cannot attend, but please keep me informed of future LFCS Courses.
Dave Berry, LFCS, Edinburgh Uni. db%lfcs.ed.ac.uk@nsfnet-relay.ac.uk
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