Fall 1999 Programming Languages for Mathematicians

MA-591K
Special Topics: Programming Languages for Mathematicians
Fall 1999
Harrelson 201, Tue&Thu 13h05-14h20

Syllabus People C Java C++ Current Enrollment Resources

Current Announcements

NEW I now have implemented the traits for the container example. See prof3.h. In doing so, I discovered that the earlier generic implementation worked on set<> by changing the call to lower_bound to std::lower_bound, which explicitly calls the STL algorithm. However, the member function set<>::lower_bound is faster, so the traits implementation is useful.
The make-up class will be held on Tue, Dec 7, 13h00-16h00.
The C++ project is posted.
My schedule with my office hours is posted.

Peoples' home pages: Erich Kaltofen.

C programs for the course

syllabus

Java programs for the course

syllabus

Old Announcements

This course is intended for graduate students in mathematics. Programming languages that are useful to mathematicians are introduced. The course will cover the three computing languages C, Java, and C++, each of which will be allocated one third of the semester. As homeworks, small programs will be written by the students to practice the learned concepts. (There are no examinations, and the programs are the sole parameter used to determine the course grade.) Modern program development techniques will be explained. An emphasis is put on program reuse (from existing libraries, for example) and on creating "glue" between existing applications like web browsers and math systems.
In Fall 1998, a similar course was given (homepage). A main difference is that Java will be taught before C++, thus making it a bit easier for students with little current programming experience. The topics are listed in the syllabus.

The first C project (writeup2.ps.gz (35K)) is posted. It is now due on Friday, Sep 17.
I have made some changes to the second C project. Please use the directory referred to in this year's syllabus.
In my program rand2.c I try to give a more complete answer to John's question about trapping keyboard strikes.
The make-up class covering recursion in C will meet on Wed, Sep 15, 1999, at 11:00am in my office (HA 150).
Due to hurricane Floyd, the deadline for project 1 is postponed. The projected deadline is Wed, Sep 22. Class on Thur, Sep 16, is cancelled. I wish that all of you weather the storm safely.
Better META tags in web documents (link courtesy of Michael McLean).
The deadline of the second C project has been extended to Friday, October 8, midnight.
If you email me your second C project on Tuesday, Oct 12, before midnight, I will count it as one day late (20% penalty).
The Java project is posted.
All Java library documentation is online (add jdk12 and access from an NCSU account).
I am out-of-town next week (Nov 15-19) and the class is canceled. The class will be made-up during exam week.
The course's student evaluations will be done on Tue, Nov 30, in class.