The course is taught in English. This course is characterizing for the Software curriculum of the Master of Science in Computer Engineering, and it is held at the second semester of the first year. Its objectives are to introduce the basic elements of the theory of formal languages and to discuss their main application in the Computer field, that is the design of translators for formal languages (compilers).

- Knowledge of the properties of the different classes of formal languages (phrase-structure, context-sensitive, context-free, regular languages) - Knowledge of the properties of the different formalisms (grammars and automata) used to represent languages - Skill to represent a given language by means of grammars and automata - Knowledge of the phases composing the translation process of a programming language: lexical analysis, syntax analysis, semantic analysis, intermediate code generation, generation and optimization of the target code - Knowledge of the design techniques and tools available for the implementation of scanners (lexical analyzers), parsers (syntax analyzers), and syntax-directed translators - Skill to design and implement syntax-directed translators for formal languages, by means of scanner and parser generators

The following knowledge is required: - Knowledge of basic concepts from the set theory: set operations, constructions and relations - Knowledge of the architecture of computer systems: processor structure and memory organization - Knowledge of the properties of programming languages and programming techniques - Knowledge of data structures (hash tables, trees, graphs) and their fundamental algorithms - Skill to develop programs in Java language

Formal Languages (15 hours): - Classification - Regular languages (Regular grammars, Regular expressions, Finite state automata) - Context-free languages (Context-free grammars, Pushdown automata, LR(k) grammars, LL(k) grammars) - Turing machines Compilers (45 hours): - Compiler structure - Lexical analysis - Syntax analysis (Bottom-up analysis, Top-down analysis) - Syntax-directed translation (Attribute definitions, Bottom-up translators) - Semantic analysis and intermediate code generation (Type control, Intermediate languages, Analysis of declarations and instructions)

This course has many practical and theoretical implications on a number of computer engineering activities, not only related to programming languages and compilers. On the one hand, formal languages and automata theory are the foundations of many applications such as formal verification, intrusion detection, modeling, etc. On the other hand, compilers and translators are used today inside many software applications, especially those using domain-specific languages to manage their operation. Examples are simulators, robotics and quantum computing applications, and all applications providing Command Line Interfaces (CLI).

Lectures (39 hours): - Formal Languages (15 hours) - Compilers (24 hours) Classroom practice (10.5 hours): - Generation of lexical analyzers by means of JFlex - Generation of syntax-directed translators by means of Cup Laboratory practice (10.5 hours): - Implementation of compiler components by means of JFlex and Cup

Books: - J.E. Hopcroft, R. Motwani, J.D. Ullman - Introduction to Automata Theory, Languages, and Computation 3rd Edition, Pearson - Addison-Wesley, 2007 - A.V. Aho, M.S. Lam, R. Sethi, J.D. Ullman - Compilers: Principles, Techniques, and Tools, 2nd Edition, Pearson - Addison-Wesley, 2007 Materials available on the teaching Web site Slides used in classroom Video-recording of lectures and practice.

Modalità di esame: Prova orale facoltativa; Prova scritta su carta con videosorveglianza dei docenti; Prova scritta tramite l'utilizzo di vLAIB e piattaforma di ateneo;

Two written examinations have to be passed, also in different calls of the same academic year. The first test (theory), lasting 30 minutes, is about the topics presented in the lectures. Its aim is to check that the student has acquired the expected knowledge (see expected learning outcomes). It consists of open and closed questions as well as short exercises. No material can be consulted during this test. The second test (practice), lasting 90 minutes, aims at checking that the student has acquired the expected skills (see expected learning outcomes). It consists in the development of a translator using JFlex and Cup in a vLAIB virtual machine. For this second test, course material will be available in the vLAIB machine itself, including copy of slides, examples etc, while the internet will not be accessible. After the end of the practice test, each participant must produce a complete and running version of their program, and send it to the lecturer within 3 working days. The final mark is the arithmetic mean of the marks of both tests. In case of doubts about the evaluation of one or both of the tests, an oral exam can be requested. The students have the possibility to request the assignment of a project which substitutes the practice test.

Modalità di esame: Prova scritta (in aula); Prova orale facoltativa; Prova scritta su carta con videosorveglianza dei docenti; Prova scritta tramite l'utilizzo di vLAIB e piattaforma di ateneo;

The students can choose between the online exam (see previous description) and the onsite exam. In the onsite exam, the two tests are the same as in the online exam, but they take place at Labinf. During the practice test, any kind of material can be consulted but access to the internet and use of any personal electronic device is forbidden.