Concepts in Programming Languages

Annotation Concepts in Programming Languages elucidates the central concepts used in modern programming languages, such as functions, types, memory management, and control. The book is unique in its comprehensive presentation and comparison of major object-oriented programming languages. Separate chapters examine the history of objects, Simula and Smalltalk, and the prominent languages C++ and Java. The author presents foundational topics, such as lambda calculus and denotational semantics, in an easy-to-read, informal style, focusing on the main insights provided by these theories. Advanced topics include concurrency, concurrent object-oriented programming, program components, and inter-language interoperability. A chapter on logic programming illustrates the importance of specialized programming methods for certain kinds of problems For Undergraduate And Beginning Graduate Students, This Textbook Explains And Examines The Central Concepts Used In Modern Programming Languages, Such As Functions, Types, Memory Management, And Control. The Book Is Unique In Its Comprehensive Presentation And Comparison Of Major Object-oriented Programming Languages. Separate Chapters Examine The History Of Objects, Simula And Smalltalk, And The Prominent Languages C++ And Java. The Author Presents Foundational Topics, Such As Lambda Calculus And Denotational Semantics, In An Easy-to-read, Informal Style, Focusing On The Main Insights Provided By These Theories. Advanced Topics Include Concurrency, Concurrent Object-oriented Programming, Program Components, And Inter-language Interoperability. A Chapter On Logic Programming Illustrates The Importance Of Specialized Programming Methods For Certain Kinds Of Problems. This Book Will Give The Reader A Better Understanding Of The Issues And Tradeoffs That Arise In Programming Language Design, And A Better Appreciation Of The Advantages And Pitfalls Of The Programming Languages They Use. Pt. 1. Functions And Foundations -- Introduction -- Computability -- Lisp: Functions, Recursion, And Lists -- Fundamentals -- Pt. 2. Procedures, Types, Memory Management, And Control -- The Algol Family And Ml -- Type Systems And Type Inference -- Scope, Functions, And Storage Management -- Control In Sequential Languages -- Pt. 3. Modularity, Abstraction, And Object-oriented Programming -- Data Abstraction And Modularity -- Concepts In Object-oriented Languages -- History Of Objects: Simula And Smalltalk -- Objects And Run-time Efficiency: C++ -- Portability And Safety: Java -- Pt. 4. Concurrency And Logic Programming -- Concurrent And Distributed Programming -- The Logic Programming Paradigm And Prolog. John C. Mitchell. Includes Index. This general textbook on programming languages is designed for undergraduate and beginning graduate students with some knowledge of basic programming. It teaches the concepts that appear in programming languages, issues that arise in their implementation, and the way that language design affects program development, with a special emphasis on object-oriented languages Programming languages are the medium of expression in the art of computer programming.