The Structure of Typed Programming Languages (Foundations of Computing) [Hardcover]

David A. Schmidt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0262193493 | ISBN-13: 978-0262193498 | Publication Date: March 1, 1994

The Structure of Typed Programming Languages describes the fundamental syntactic and semantic features of modern programming languages, carefully spelling out their impacts on language design. Using classical and recent research from lambda calculus and type theory, it presents a rational reconstruction of the Algol-like imperative languages such as Pascal, Ada, and Modula-3, and the higher-order functional languages such as Scheme and ML.David Schmidt's text is based on the premise that although few programmers ever actually design a programming language, it is important for them to understand the structuring techniques. His use of these techniques in a reconstruction of existing programming languages and in the design of new ones allows programmers and would-be programmers to see why existing languages are structured the way they are and how new languages can be built using variations on standard themes.The text is unique in its tutorial presentation of higher-order lambda calculus and intuitionistic type theory. The latter in particular reveals that a programming language is a logic in which its typing system defines the propositions of the logic and its well-typed programs constitute the proofs of the propositions.The Structure of Typed Programming Languages is designed for use in a first or second course on principles of programming languages. It assumes a basic knowledge of programming languages and mathematics equivalent to a course based on books such as Friedman, Wand, and Haynes': Essentials of Programming Languages. As Schmidt covers both the syntax and the semantics of programming languages, his text provides a perfect precursor to a more formal presentation of programming language semantics such as Gunter's Semantics of Programming Languages.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David A. Schmidt is Associate Professor in the Department of Computing and Information Sciences at Kansas State University.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 383 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (March 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262193493
• ISBN-13: 978-0262193498
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #779,272 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars difficult but interesting, April 5, 2000

By 

Brian Caulfield (NY NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Structure of Typed Programming Languages (Foundations of Computing) (Hardcover)

This book formally describes the type semantics of procedural and functional languages. It is about half dense prose and half math notation. It's not what you would call a popular treatment. As with any book that has very heavy math notation, I found myself reading very slowly. However the material is interesting. Various research results from the early 90s are presented. I think that thoughtful programmers who are interested in compiler technology and/or correctness proofs will enjoy this work.