Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - CMPT 383 D100

Comparative Programming Languages (3)

Class Number: 5456

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Mon, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Wed, 12:30–1:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CMPT 225 and (MACM 101 or (ENSC 251 and ENSC 252)), all with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Various concepts and principles underlying the design and use of modern programming languages are considered in the context of procedural, object-oriented, functional and logic programming languages. Topics include data and control structuring constructs, facilities for modularity and data abstraction, polymorphism, syntax, and formal semantics.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course introduces the fundamental concepts behind different kinds of imperative and functional programming languages. It covers several topics about formal semantics, type checking, type inference, and the basics of functional programming. Students will learn to give semantics to program constructs, interpret program elements, check the correctness of types, and automatically detect the type of expressions in a program.

Topics

  • Functional programming
  • Lambda calculus
  • Formal semantics
  • Type checking
  • Type inference

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The goal of this course is to help students

  • Gain hands-on experience of functional programming in Haskell
  • Learn the difference between different programming paradigms
  • Have an in–depth understanding of programming language foundations
  • Understand types in programming languages
  • Improve programming skills

Grading

  • Homework 30%
  • Programming Assignments 30%
  • Midterm Exam 25%
  • Quiz 15%

NOTES:

Details will be confirmed in the first week of classes.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Reference Books:

  • Learn You a Haskell for Great Good, Miran Lipovaca, No Starch Press, 2011, 9781593272838
  • Programming in Haskell, Graham Hutton, Cambridge University Press, 2016, 9781316626221
  • Types and Programming Languages, Benjamin C. Pierce, The MIT Press, 2002, 9780262162098

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The following are default policies in the School of Computing Science. Please check your course syllabus whether the instructor has chosen a different policy for your class, otherwise the following policies apply.
 
  • Students must attain an overall passing grade on the weighted average of exams in the course in order to get a C- or higher.
  • All student requests for accommodations for their religious practices must be made in writing by the end of the first week of classes, or no later than one week after a student adds a course. After considering a request, an instructor may provide a concession or may decline to do so. Students requiring accommodations as a result of a disability can contact the Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca).

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.