Programming Languages, Part B from Coursera

[As described below, this is Part B of a 3-part course. Participants should complete Part A first -- Part B "dives right in" and refers often to material from Part A.]

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of programming languages, with a strong emphasis on functional programming. The course uses the languages ML, Racket, and Ruby as vehicles for teaching the concepts, but the real intent is to teach enough about how any language “fits together” to make you more effective programming in any language -- and in learning new ones.

This course is neither particularly theoretical nor just about programming specifics -- it will give you a framework for understanding how to use language constructs effectively and how to design correct and elegant programs. By using different languages, you will learn to think more deeply than in terms of the particular syntax of one language. The emphasis on functional programming is essential for learning how to write robust, reusable, composable, and elegant programs. Indeed, many of the most important ideas in modern languages have their roots in functional programming. Get ready to learn a fresh and beautiful way to look at software and how to have fun building it.

The course assumes some prior experience with programming, as described in more detail in the first module of Part A. Part B assumes successful completion of Part A.

The course is divided into three Coursera courses: Part A, Part B, and Part C. As explained in more detail in the first module of Part A, the overall course is a substantial amount of challenging material, so the three-part format provides two intermediate milestones and opportunities for a pause before continuing. The three parts are designed to be completed in order and set up to motivate you to continue through to the end of Part C.

Week 1 of Part A has a more detailed list of topics for all three parts of the course, but it is expected that most course participants will not (yet!) know what all these topics mean.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction, Course-Wide Information, and Software Installation (Start Here)

Welcome! Start here! Learn about this course and how it's organized.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Covers topics in functional programming, which is an important and widely used paradigm

Examines benefits of static typing and dynamic typing, while contrasting the two

Taught by a professor from Brown University, a recognized institution for its work in computer science

Emphasizes teaching participants to be more effective in programming in any language

Structured with three progressive parts, providing intermediate milestones

Starts with a welcome module to introduce course to new students and their different approaches to learning

Reviews summary

Advanced concepts in programming languages

According to learners, Programming Languages, Part B provides a challenging yet highly rewarding exploration of key programming language concepts, particularly focusing on functional programming paradigms through the lens of Racket. Students frequently highlight the course's strength in building upon material from Part A, making it a necessary continuation for those serious about the topic. The comparison between static and dynamic typing is noted as particularly insightful. While the assignments are often described as difficult and time-consuming, many feel they offer a deep and practical understanding of the material. The course is best suited for those with a solid foundation from Part A and a willingness to tackle demanding problems.

Good dive into Racket language.

"Learning Racket in this depth was a fantastic experience and opened my eyes to new ways of thinking."

"The course does a great job using Racket to illustrate complex functional programming ideas."

"I appreciated the focus on Racket idioms and how they differed from ML."

Clear explanation of static vs dynamic typing.

"The module comparing static and dynamic typing using ML and Racket was incredibly clarifying."

"Gained a much deeper understanding of the trade-offs between different typing systems after this section."

"This part alone made the course worthwhile for me; it connected a lot of dots."

Effectively continues and requires Part A.

"This course truly builds on the foundation from Part A; I couldn't have taken this one without it."

"It felt like a natural and essential progression from the previous part of the series."

"Definitely needed to have completed Part A thoroughly to keep up with the pace and concepts here."

Assumes solid programming background.

"This course is definitely not for beginners; you need solid programming skills coming in."

"If you struggled with Part A or lack programming fundamentals, Part B will be very difficult."

"It moves at a fast pace and assumes you are comfortable picking up new language paradigms quickly."

Homework is demanding and requires effort.

"The programming assignments were significantly more challenging than expected, requiring deep thought."

"I spent a considerable amount of time on the homework, but I learned a lot from struggling through it."

"Be prepared for difficult problems that really test your understanding, they are not trivial."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Programming Languages, Part B with these activities:

Organize and Review Course Materials

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Staying organized and reviewing materials regularly will help you retain the information and perform better on assessments.

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Create a system for organizing notes, assignments, and other course materials, both digital and physical.
Regularly review your notes and materials to reinforce your understanding and identify areas where you need further clarification.
Use flashcards or other techniques to memorize key concepts and definitions.

Find a Mentor in Functional Programming

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A mentor can provide valuable guidance and support throughout your learning journey.

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Attend meetups or conferences related to functional programming and networking with professionals in the field.
Reach out to professors, researchers, or industry experts who specialize in functional programming and express your interest in mentorship.
Clearly define your goals and expectations for mentorship and communicate them to potential mentors.

Review Introduction to Computer Science

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Review of the core concepts of computer science will lay a helpful foundation for this course.

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Review basic programming concepts using an online tutorial or textbook.
Complete practice problems and exercises to reinforce your understanding.

Four other activities

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Read Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs

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This classic text provides a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of foundational concepts in computer science and programming, including functional programming.

View Structure and Interpretation of Computer... on Amazon

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Read through the chapters and work through the exercises to grasp the fundamentals of programming and functional programming paradigms.
Discuss the concepts with classmates or online forums to enhance your understanding and gain different perspectives.
Apply the knowledge gained from the book to your coding projects and assignments.

Practice with Racket

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Practice is key to understanding the functional programming concepts taught in this course, and Racket is a great language for practicing.

Browse courses on Racket

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Solve coding problems using Racket, focusing on concepts like recursion, higher-order functions, and lazy evaluation.
Participate in online coding challenges or contribute to open-source Racket projects.

Explore Functional Programming Concepts

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This course provides a solid foundation in functional programming, so taking the time to explore these ideas further will enhance your learning experience.

Browse courses on Functional Programming

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Find online tutorials or courses that cover advanced functional programming topics like monads, category theory, and type systems.
Watch videos or read articles about real-world applications of functional programming in industry.
Experiment with different functional programming languages like Haskell, OCaml, or F# to compare and contrast their features.

Build a Functional Programming Project

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Applying what you've learned to a practical project will solidify your understanding and demonstrate your skills.

Browse courses on Functional Programming

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Identify a problem or idea that can be solved using functional programming techniques.
Design and implement your project using a functional programming language of your choice.
Test and refine your project to ensure it meets your requirements and demonstrates functional programming principles.
Document your project, including a description of the problem, your approach, and any challenges you encountered.

Career center

Learners who complete Programming Languages, Part B will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Software Developer

A Software Developer designs, develops, and maintains software applications. This course is an excellent fit for this role because it provides a comprehensive understanding of programming languages and their design principles, which are essential for developing robust and efficient software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Machine Learning Engineer

A Machine Learning Engineer designs and develops machine learning algorithms and models. This course may be useful for this role because it provides a deep understanding of programming languages and data structures, which are essential for implementing and optimizing machine learning algorithms.

See salaries and explore the career path for Machine Learning Engineer

Artificial Intelligence Engineer

An Artificial Intelligence Engineer designs, develops, and maintains artificial intelligence systems. This course may be useful for this role because it provides a deep understanding of programming languages and data structures, which are essential for implementing and optimizing AI algorithms.

See salaries and explore the career path for Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Data Scientist

A Data Scientist analyzes data to extract insights and develop predictive models. This course may be useful for this role because it provides a foundation in programming languages and data structures, which are essential for manipulating and analyzing large datasets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Blockchain Developer

A Blockchain Developer designs and develops blockchain-based applications and systems. This course may be useful for this role because it provides a deep understanding of programming languages and data structures, which are essential for implementing and optimizing blockchain-based systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Blockchain Developer

Computer Systems Analyst

A Computer Systems Analyst analyzes and designs computer systems. This course may be useful for this role because it provides a deep understanding of programming languages and their implementation, which are essential for designing and implementing efficient computer systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Systems Analyst

DevOps Engineer

A DevOps Engineer designs and implements DevOps processes and tools. This course may be useful for this role because it provides a deep understanding of programming languages and their implementation, which are essential for developing and managing DevOps tools and pipelines.

See salaries and explore the career path for DevOps Engineer

Cloud Architect

A Cloud Architect designs and implements cloud computing solutions. This course may be useful for this role because it provides a deep understanding of programming languages and their implementation, which are essential for developing and managing cloud-based applications and services.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst designs, implements, and maintains information security systems. This course may be useful for this role because it provides a strong foundation in programming languages and their implementation, which are essential for developing secure and reliable security systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Database Administrator

A Database Administrator designs, implements, and maintains databases. This course may be useful for this role because it provides a deep understanding of data structures and their implementation, which are essential for designing and managing efficient databases.

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Game Developer

A Game Developer designs and develops video games. This course may be useful for this role because it provides a strong foundation in programming languages and their implementation, which are essential for developing complex and engaging game applications.

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Web Developer

A Web Developer designs and develops websites and web applications. This course may be useful for this role because it provides a foundation in programming languages and their implementation, which are essential for building dynamic and interactive web applications.

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Network Engineer

A Network Engineer designs, implements, and maintains computer networks. This course may be useful for this role because it provides a deep understanding of programming languages and data structures, which are essential for developing and managing efficient networks.

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Computer and Information Systems Manager

A Computer and Information Systems Manager plans, coordinates, and directs computer-related activities in an organization. This course may be useful for this role because it provides a deep understanding of programming languages and their implementation.

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Computer and Information Research Scientist

A Computer and Information Research Scientist designs, develops, and evaluates computer and information systems. This course may be useful for this role because it provides a strong foundation in programming languages and their design.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer and Information Research Scientist