COVENANT UNIVERSITY

College of Science and Technology

Department: Computer and Information Sciences
Course Lecturer: Dr. Oyelade Olarenwaju, Dr. Emebo O
Programme: Computer Science
Course Code: CSC 423
Course Title: Concept of Programming
Units: 3
Semester: Omega
Time: Thursday, 8-10 a.m.; Extra hour TBD
Location: Hall 308 (CST Building)

a) Course Overview
An understanding of the fundamental concepts of the design, construction and properties of various
programming languages is essential to equip students with the necessary basis for making
decisions for choice of programming language that fits different problem solving scenarios.
b) Course Objective
 To provide students with the necessary tools for the critical evaluation of existing and
future programming languages and programming language constructs from several
important viewpoints.
 To give understanding of the fundamental concepts of programming languages.
 To survey various programming languages and undertake comparisons of the features
and constructs of various languages.

c) Methods of Lecture Delivery/Teaching Aids
- Lecture delivery Methods: Lecture, Tutorial
- Teaching aids: Lecture notes on Slides, Power Point Presentation with Multimedia
support

d) Course Outline

Module 1 (Week 1-2)

-Evaluation Criteria for Programming Languages
- Object-Oriented, Integrated Development Environments and RAD tools, Scripting Languages)

Module 2 (Week 3 - Week 5)

-Language definition structure - Grammar; lexical analysis and parsing
-Interpretative languages, Scripting Languages

Module 3 (Week 6-Week 8)

-control structure and data flow;
-Run-time consideration;
-Data types and structures;
-Review of basic data types; including lists and trees;
Module 4 (Week 9- Week 11)
- Comparative studies of programming languages

Revision: (Week 12)

Method of Grading: Continuous Assessment (tests and assignments), End of
Semester Examination

e) Tutorials
- Week 3 – Tutorial 1 (on Module 1-2 Topics)
- Week 6 – Tutorial 2 ( on Module 3 Topics)
- Week 8 – Tutorial 3 (on Module 4 Topics/Examination Revision)
f) Structure of the Programme/Method of Grading
- Continuous Assessment: Mid-term Test (15 Marks)
- Class Test I: (5 marks)
- Class Test II: (5 marks)
- Term Paper Assignments (5 marks)
- End of Semester Examination (70 Marks)
g) Ground rules & Regulations
Students are expected to be punctual, calm and responsive, in creating a highly interactive
atmosphere in class sessions. All assignments and exercises must be completed on schedule
with necessary feedbacks obtained from the Course Lecturers.
h) Term Paper and Assignment:
Comparative Evaluation of Programming languages: C, C++, Java, Pascal Languages: Visual
Languages, Scripting languages, imperative languages, functional languages, etc. (Visual C++ and
JBuilder, C#, PHP, Ruby, PERL, Python, Haskell, Small talk, LISP, Java, C#, C++)

i) Alignment with Covenant University Vision and Goals

Algorithms design and code implementations in specific programming languages are core
practices of computer-based problem solving. The course provides a platform for students to
learn about the design considerations and implementation features of several existing
programming languages and their limitations. The goal is to raise individuals who are
sufficiently knowledgeable in the art of programming language design and construction so as
to be able to make useful contributions in the nearest future.
j) Contemporary issues/ Industrial relevance
The course offers the basic knowledge required to understand the design programming
languages and the features available in several programming languages. The course serve as
a good foundation in the quest to build programming language compilers in Nigeria’s
indigenous languages.
k) Recommended
Reading/Text: Text book:
1. David Webster, Concept of programming, Prentice Hall, 2005, New York.
2. Concepts of Programming Languages (11th Edition) by Robert W. Sebesta

On line Resources
http://wps.aw.com/aw_sebesta_concepts_6/
http://xrds.acm.org/resources/how-to-learn-programming-languages.cfm