Programming in the 1990s : An Introduction to the Calculation of Programs

Cohen, Edward

ISBN 10: 0387973826 / ISBN 13: 9780387973821

Published by Springer 1990-10, 1990

About this Item

Seller Inventory # 6666-IUK-9780387973821

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Programming in the 1990s : An Introduction to the Calculation of Programs
• Publisher: Springer 1990-10
• Publication Date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0387973826
• ISBN 13: 9780387973821
• Binding: PF
• Condition: New

About this title

Synopsis

Programming is a fascinating and challenging subject. Unfortunately, it is rarely presented as such. Most often it is taught by "induction": features of some famous programming languages are given operational meaning (e.g. a loop "goes round and round"), a number of examples are shown, and by induction, we are asked to develop other programs, often radically different from the ones we've seen. Basically we are taught to guess our programs, and then to patch up our guesses. Our errors are given the cute name of "bugs". Fixing them becomes puzzle-solving, as does finding tricks that exploit or avoid poorly designed features of the programming language. The entire process is time-consuming and expensive. And even so, we are never quite sure if our programs really work in all cases. When approached in this way, programming is indeed a dull activity. There is, however, another approach to programming, an approach in which programs can be developed reliably, with attention to the real issues. It is a practical approach based on methodically developing programs from their specifications. Besides being practical, it is exciting. Many programs can be developed with relative ease. Problems which once were difficult can now be solved by beginners. Elegant solutions bring great satisfaction. This is our subject. We are interested in making programming an exciting topic!

From the Back Cover

This book is interested in making programming an exciting topic. This is another approach to programming, and approach in which programs can be developed reliably, with attention to the real issues. It is a practical approach based on methodically programs from their specifications.