Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2026 - CMPT 383 D100

Comparative Programming Languages (3)

Class Number: 3070

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Tue, 4:30–5:20 p.m.
    Surrey

    May 11 – Aug 10, 2026: Thu, 3:30–5:20 p.m.
    Surrey

  • 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:

A practice-oriented exploration of concepts and principles underlying the design and use of modern programming languages, including object-oriented programming and functional programming. Approximately every two weeks a new language will be discussed, such as LISP, advanced Python, Haskell, Go, and Prolog (the precise languages may change).

Topics

  • Introduction to fundamental programming ideas and approaches
  • Advanced Python: generators, coroutines, decorators, classes, context managers, the descriptor protocol, etc.
  • Go: procedures, interfaces, and concurrency (just a bit)
  • LISP (using Racket): lists, functional programming, and interactive programming
  • Haskell: functional programming with types
  • Prolog: programming with logic, relations, and constraints

Grading

NOTES:

The marking scheme will be provided in the first week of class.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Reference Books

Programming Language Pragmatics
  • Michael L. Scott, Morgan Kaufmann
  • 2015
  • 9780124104099

RECOMMENDED READING:

Thinking Functionally with Haskell

  • Richard Bird
  • Cambridge University Press
  • 2014

ISBN: 9781107452640

Programming in Haskell

  • Second Edition
  • Graham Hutton
  • Cambridge University Press
  • 2016

ISBN: 9781316626221

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.