Tools for understanding the design of object-oriented programs

Research abstract

The participants will work on designing tools that help the novice programmer understand the behavior of programs and program evaluation. For example a stepper illustrates the sequence of evaluation, substitution and method dispatch in a class based program. An automaticlly generated class diagram helps the programmer understand or illustrate the relationship between the clases and interfaces that comprise a program.

Research activities/experience

The research in programming languages and implementation involves the design of expected program behavior, building of a prototype, evaluating the prototype, developing the theoretical definition of the program behavior and its correctness, and producing the final version that corresponds to the underlying theory. The participants will learn about this process and take active part in the design process.

Expectations

The participants should be teachers that have some experience with teaching computer science courses at the high school level - not necessarily the AP courses. They should have interest in broadening their understanding of computing in general.

Special Skills or interests that would help a participant with this assignment

The participants should be teachers that have some experience with teaching computer science courses at the high school level - not necessarily the AP courses. They should have interest in broadening their understanding of computing in general.

Suggested literature to be reviewed prior to beginning this research assignment

The participants should start by becoming familiar with at least Part I and II of the text How to Design Programs, available online at http://www.htdp.org/