Scripting Language: A Practicum

COMP 171

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Introduction

The purpose of this course is twofold: (i) to provide a painless introduction to programming computers, and (ii) to serve as a basis for programming in applied disciplines such as biology, chemistry and business.  Traditionally, programming languages can be categorized as compiled or interpreted as also typed or typeless (actually more- or less- typed).  Scripting languages usually fall into the category of interpreted and less-typed.   Scripting languages owe their speed of development to close tie-ins with native operating system libraries.    Popular scripting languages include all of the Unix shell scripts (csh, tcsh, zsh etc.), Tcl/Tk, MS-DOS command language, Perl, Python, etc.  Lately Perl and Python have become popular due to their simplicity, expressiveness and applicability to various scientific and business domains. 

Learning Objectives

After taking this course, students should be able to:

  1. Have an understanding of what scripting languages can do and when they are suitable for use.
  2. Program in Perl.
  3. Program in Python

Text

 

There is extensive online material available for both Perl and Python and hence the texts are not required.  However, the following textbook is recommended.

Perl How to Program, Introducing CGI and Python (With CD-ROM)
by H. M. Deitel, P. J. Deitel, T.R. Nieto, D.C. McPhie, Prentice Hall, 2001.

Pointers Web resources for Perl and Python:

http://www.perl.com/pub/q/documentation

http://www.python.org/doc/

Class Participation and Attendance

Student attendance is required. Hence, students are expected to arrive to class punctually.  Students are expected to program in computers.

Grading

Attendance and Participation: 10 points

Homework Assignments 40 points

Midterm                       20 Points

Final Exam                   30 Points

 

Grading Scale

95-100 = A

90-94  = A-

85-89  =  B+

80-84  =  B

75-79  =  C+

70-74  =  C

65-69  =  D

64 and lower = F   

 

 

 

Academic Integrity

Students should read and understand the College of Arts and Sciences’ policy on academic integrity, which is described in the Undergraduate Studies Catalogue. Students found in violation of the policy could fail an assignment or the course and might be subjected to other penalties up to, and including, expulsion from the university.  

 

Topics Expected to be Covered:                                          

 Introduction, Linux, Scalar Data, Arrays and Lists, Hashes , Control Structures, Regular Expressions, Subroutines, References and Data Structures, File and Directory Manipulation , Process Control , Packages and Modules, OO Perl, Writing scripts in Perl:  Applications

Intro to Python, Basic features, loops, constructs, I/O , O/S control, Python scripting: Applications, Object-orientation in Python, Web programming.

Midterm: 1st March, 2005.

Finals: Thursday May 12th, 8:30 am to 10:30 am.