CS.HAM@r20.utexas.edu (Hamilton Richards) (12/08/86)
The U.T. YEAR of PROGRAMMING
An Overview
5 December 1986
INTRODUCTION
The Year of Programming--a project of the Department of Computer Sciences of
The University of Texas at Austin, underwritten principally by a grant from the
U.S. Office of Naval Research--is a series of computer-scientific activities to
take place during 1987. From the original proposal:
Programming includes all aspects of creating an executable representation
of a problem through all levels of abstraction from mathematical formula-
tion to representation of an algorithmically specific architecture in a
hardware description language. Aspects of this process which have been
identified for attention include problem formulation, specification
languages, programming languages, presentation languages, and the trans-
formations between these many representations. The Year of Programming
will attempt to identify and address the subset of these problem domains
and issues which are the bottlenecks to progress towards the conversion
of programming into a mathematical and tool supported discipline and one
which extends from high levels of abstraction to computer architecture.
GOALS
The general objectives of The Year of Programming are the following:
* to advance the art and science of programming by bringing together
leading scientists for discussions and collaboration
* to disseminate among leading practitioners the best of what has been
learned about the theory and practice of programming
OVERALL FORMAT
The Year of Programming will consist primarily of a series of Programming
Institutes, each devoted to a specific topic. Institutes are currently being
organized for the following topics:
Programming Concurrent Computations (Feb-Mar) -- C.A.R. Hoare
Encapsulation, Modularization, and Reusability (April) -- D. Gries
Type, Domain, and Category Theories in Programming (June) -- G. Huet
Formal Specification and Verification of Hardware (July) -- M.J.C. Gordon
Declarative Programming (August) -- D.A. Turner
Specification and Design (Sept) -- J. R. Abrial
Formal Development of Programs and Proofs (autumn) -- E.W. Dijkstra
(This list is subject to change.)
A Year of Programming contributor may be involved in any of various
activities--directing an entire Institute, organizing and presenting a
tutorial, giving one or more lectures, participating in workshops and panel
discussions, and assisting in writing and editing YoP publications.
INSTITUTE FORMAT
Each Institute's duration and format will be determined primarily by its
scientific director. Components of the typical Institute would be drawn from
the following menu:
* Tutorial of 2-5 days' duration. Audience: practitioners. Purpose: to
help each participant develop a thorough working knowledge of the
subject. Format: Lectures, accompanied by exercises and problem sessions
in which participants test and strengthen their understanding. Tutorials
will be prominent components--even centerpieces--of most Institutes.
* Lecture [series]. Audience: specialists and practitioners. Purpose: to
present latest research results.
* Public lecture. Audience: nonspecialists. Purpose: to present an
overview of the Institute's topic and of its significance and its
relationships with other topics.
* Workshop of 2-3 days' duration. Participants: specialists prepared for
intensive discussion of their current work. Purpose: sustained
interaction among active researchers.
* Panel discussion. Audience: specialists and research directors. Purpose:
to identify important problems and promising avenues of research.
* Private consultations with sponsoring organizations. Purpose: to advise
on problems and applications that are proprietary, confidential, or not of
general interest.
Each Year of Programming Institute will be directed by a technical leader in
its field, with all necessary support provided by the Year of Programming
Office.
PUBLICATIONS
Proceedings of the Year of Programming are to be published in a variety of
formats and media:
* Tutorial: videotape with notes (including problems and solutions); printed
materials prepared in advance by instructor.
* Lecture [series]: videotape; audio tape with copies of illustrations;
edited transcript including illustrations; papers by speakers.
* Workshop: collection of papers submitted by participants.
* Panel discussion: videotape; audio tape with copies of illustrations;
edited transcript including illustrations.
FUNDING
In addition to its major grant from the Office of Naval Research, the Year of
Programming receives supplementary funding from Lockheed Missiles and Space
Company (LMSC) and other sponsors. Its budget allows for contributing visitors
to be paid their travel and living expenses and customary honoraria.
MANAGEMENT
The Year of Programming is supervised by its Management Committee (all members
not otherwise identified are affiliated with the Department of Computer
Sciences of The University of Texas at Austin):
J. C. Browne* E. W. Dijkstra* E. A. Emerson
M. G. Gouda C. A. R. Hoare* C. Lengauer
J. Misra J. Pavone H. Richards*^
S. W. Sherman (LMSC)
* member of executive subcommittee
^ coordinator
The Year of Programming Office staff consists of a coordinator (H. Richards)
and an administrative assistant (S.K. Rhoads).
FURTHER INFORMATION
To receive mailings of announcements of individual Programming Institutes and
application forms for tutorials and lecture series, please contact the Year of
Programming Office at one of the following addresses:
U. T. Year of Programming
Department of Computer Sciences
Taylor Hall 2.124
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas 78712-1188
telephone: 512-471-9526
electronic mail: cs.ham@R20.UTEXAS.EDU