EVENT DETAILS
Wednesday / CS Seminar
October 16th / 12:00 PM
Hybrid / Mudd 3514
Speaker
Christos Dimoulas, Northwestern University
Talk Title
The Rational Programmer, A Method for Investigating Programming Language Pragmatics
Abstract
"The work of software developers directly depends on decisions that
language creators make for them. Therefore, when language creators choose
from a number of design alternatives, they should consider how their
choices affect the developers. Specifically, language creators should
consider the use of a language feature in particular work contexts, an
idea analogous to what linguists call ``pragmatics.'' However, so far,
there are only a few instruments for investigating Programming Language
(PL) pragmatics.
To address this gap, I have developed a new scientific instrument called
the Rational Programmer. At the technical level, the Rational Programmer
method puts the idea of simulation, a technique with a long history in
Computer Science, to new use in PL research. The heart of a
rational-programmer simulation is an algorithmic abstraction of using a
language feature for information gathering, interpretation and action in a
work context. Typically, a rational-programmer simulation produces a
recommendation for a use strategy that a developer can employ while
working in the given context. It may also identify a problematic aspect of
a feature's design with concrete evidence, which then the creators and
developers can leverage to address the problem. Finally, a
rational-programmer simulation can inform instructors how to teach
students the effective use of a feature. In this talk, I will demonstrate
the workings of the Rational Programmer method with examples."
Biography
Christos is an assistant professor of Computer Science at Northwestern
University. The goal of his research is to understand how Programming
Language techniques can improve the work life of software developers.
Research/Interest Areas:
Programming Languages
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Zoom: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/99788665335
Panopto: https://northwestern.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=44a7f2e8-bcaf-4f82-beba-b1fd014323d7
DEI Minute: TBA
TIME Wednesday October 16, 2024 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
LOCATION 3514, Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) map it
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CONTACT Wynante R Charles wynante.charles@northwestern.edu
CALENDAR Department of Computer Science (CS)