Modelling Systems and Languages (Spring 2023)

Abstract

The goal of this course is to give you a mindset of working with software in an abstract and semi-automated fashion, as in a production process (as opposed to a hand crafting process).

Description

This is the first course of the Software Analysis specialization and it focuses on constructive skills: you learn to design, evaluate, and implement new languages that meet the needs of your projects. You use them to describe systems concisely and with less errors. 

The goals of this course are achieved by introducing modeling languages and models as first class artifacts that are designed, manipulated, transformed and translated to code in an automatic fashion. 

Subjects will include 

• Domain-modeling, feature modeling, meta-modeling and design of domain specific languages
• Concrete Syntax, and concrete syntax editors 
• Parsing with parser combinators
• Architecture modeling, product line architectures, variability modeling 
• Structural constraints 
• Model Transformation and code generation
• Implementation of domain-specific languages 
  

All programming is performed in Java or Xtend to enable common discussion, joint supervision and a shared learning process. However, the ideas can be realized in many programming languages.

Formal prerequisites

You are a confident software developer, knowledgeable in programming language paradigms and concepts, able to work with (moderately) complex development projects yourself. These abilities can normally be obtained by following a Bachelor programme in software development. 

Object-oriented programming

• Classes and Interfaces
• Encapsulation
• Inheritance
• Polymorphism
• Generic Types
• Exceptions

Java

• Basic data structures
• Lists, Trees and Graphs
• Basic complexity

Software engineering

• Development Processes
• Quality Assurance
• Modeling (e.g., UML Class Diagrams)

Intended learning outcomes

After the course, the student should be able to:

• Perform domain analysis of a problem domain to obtain a meta-model
• Design and implement a domain specific language
• Define semantics of simple operational and structural languages
• Describe and discuss the main techniques used for domain modeling and implementation (domain specific languages, modelling frameworks, transformation languages, code generators, concrete syntax and models, type checkers)
• Manipulate abstract syntax representations programatically
• Design and improve concrete textual syntax for a modeling language.
• Implement declarative constraints and type rules for domain specific languages.
• Implement declarative and imperative transformations, code generators and interpreters
• Characterize, classify and compare programming and modeling languages.

Mandatory activities

A substantial part of the course (ca. 30%) consists of a project in which you build your own language. The project must be completed and submitted as a prerequisite for the exam.

The pedagogical function of the mandatory project is to provide the students with a learning activity where they design and implement a domain-specific language in accordance with the course’s ILOs.

Throughout the project phase, students will receive formative feedback from the teacher/TA in (approximately) weekly consultation meetings.

If the students fail to hand in/fail to pass the mandatory activity they will be given a chance for a second attempt approximately a week later.

The student will receive the grade NA (not approved) at the ordinary exam, if the mandatory activities are not approved and the student will use an exam attempt.

Course literature

The course literature is published in the course page in LearnIT.

Student Activity Budget

Estimated distribution of learning activities for the typical student

• Preparation for lectures and exercises: 10%
• Lectures: 20%
• Exercises: 15%
• Assignments: 5%
• Project work, supervision included: 30%
• Exam with preparation: 20%

Ordinary exam

Exam type:
D: Submission of written work with following oral, External (7-point scale)
Exam variation:
D2G: Submission for groups with following oral exam supplemented by the submission. Shared responsibility for the report.

reexam

Exam type:
D: Submission of written work with following oral, External (7-point scale)
Exam variation:
D2G: Submission for groups with following oral exam supplemented by the submission. Shared responsibility for the report.

Time and date

Ordinary Exam - submission Fri, 2 June 2023, 08:00 - 14:00
Ordinary Exam Mon, 26 June 2023, 09:00 - 21:00
Reexam - submission Wed, 26 July 2023, 08:00 - 14:00