CS 3540 Programming Languages and Paradigms

Introduction

In Session 1, I said that we will be using Racket both as an example and as our programming language of choice this semester. Your first reading assignment is to browse The Racket Guide online through the end of Section 2.2.6.

Remember to stop there for now. We'll get to more advanced material soon enough.

Read the assignment now, then do the following assignment.

The Assignment

1. Write a three-sentence summary of Racket based only on what you read in those sections of the guide.
   Your sentences can answer these three questions:
   • What is Racket?
   • What are its essential features?
   • What makes the language unique?
2. Write at least one question that you have about Racket and the type of programming being done.
   For this assignment, I want you to think about the language itself. Ask a question about one (or more) of these:
   • its syntax: the form of the code
   • its semantics: how the code behaves when run
   • its style: how programs solve problems
   For now, we are not especially interested in "meta" questions about Racket's use in the world (for example, "Can we do web programming in Racket?"). Let's focus on the language itself.

Deliverables

Either

• bring hard copy of your write-up to class next time

or

• email me your write-up before class begins next time.

You may write your answers by hand, if you prefer. If you do, please be neat so that I can read it!

You may send email, if you prefer. If you do, please send either a plain text file or PDF.