The primary objective of the unit project is to have the students explore
a programming language concept or problem in greater depth than is possible
with the standard lecture and machine problems.
Those of you who are signed up for 4 units of credit for CS 421
will need to complete a unit project. You should expect about two MPs worth of work.
Default project: Pick two published research papers on programming language
topics, write a two to four page summary of each, and prepare a 10-to-20-minute
presentation of each. A good place to look would be past PLDI, ICFP, or POPL
publications. Also, you may find these papers useful.
Alternative projects, such as implementing some programming language concept discussed in the course or in a research paper, may be set up by arrangement.
Your project proposal is due by July 9. In it, you should provide the names and brief (one-sentence) descriptions of the papers you will present, or describe your alternative project proposal. Please feel free to make an appointment with the instructor to discuss your choice before the proposal deadline. You should submit the proposal by email.
Your project report is due on August 1. If you've chosen the default project, the project report should be a 2-4 page summary for each paper. Your summaries should address the following points:
- What problem the paper is trying to solve.
- Why this problem is important.
- How this paper addresses the problem.
- What you think about the paper and its solution.
Project presentations will take place on August 2. Times will be arranged with the instructor. A different date is possible, but presentations must be finished before grades are due (i.e., early in the week after finals). Please be sure to submit your project report before your presentation. For online students, presentations may be submitted either as a recording (e.g., through Powerpoint) or via Skype. You should expect to take between 10 and 20 minutes per paper (including questions, if you're not doing a recording).