[ prog / sol / mona ]

prog


Computability Theory of and with Scheme

1 2021-10-29 18:18

I just came across this MIT OCW listing for a computability theory class from 2003 done in MIT Scheme, including lecture notes, code, and assignments:
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-844-computability-theory-of-and-with-scheme-spring-2003/

There are slightly more recent materials (from 2005) at:
https://courses.csail.mit.edu/6.844/spring05-6844/handouts/

Here's the course description:

6.844 is a graduate introduction to programming theory, logic of programming, and computability, with the programming language Scheme used to crystallize computability constructions and as an object of study itself. Topics covered include: programming and computability theory based on a term-rewriting, "substitution" model of computation by Scheme programs with side-effects; computation as algebraic manipulation: Scheme evaluation as algebraic manipulation and term rewriting theory; paradoxes from self-application and introduction to formal programming semantics; undecidability of the Halting Problem for Scheme; properties of recursively enumerable sets, leading to Incompleteness Theorems for Scheme equivalences; logic for program specification and verification; and Hilbert's Tenth Problem.

I'm afraid the subject is as yet over my head, but one day I hope to be able to tackle it. In the meantime, I'll be trying out the linked .edwin config.

2 2021-10-29 19:20

neat!

3 2021-10-31 10:51

Do we just do the assignments and post our solutions here? Or how would you study this, since there's no textbook or lectures?

4 2021-11-01 18:42

>>3
The syllabus says there's no textbook and seems to suggest that the lecture notes are enough. I've no idea how well that works for self-study, however. After some DDGing around it looks like there are some computability theory lectures available on Youtube and a number of textbooks, although nothing tailored specifically for this course. This one at least is edited in part by the professor of 6.844:
http://hjemmesider.diku.dk/~neil/comp2book2007/book-whole.pdf

Worth mentioning that in addition to the intro CS class the syllabus also mentions their discrete math class as a prerequisite, and OCW does have the full video lectures for that (with slides in glorious Comic Sans):
https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/electrical-engineering-and-computer-science/6-042j-mathematics-for-computer-science-spring-2015/

5 2021-11-05 21:16

I have my solutions to Assignment #1, for problems 11, 12 and 13, as required. Do you want me to post it? Since there are official solutions linked for week 2, it might not be that interesting.

6 2021-11-13 18:08

Assignment #2 seems impossible, it is making me feel so dumb I am close to crying.

7


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