 | A Pascal to E-machine code compiler -- the compiler currently runs on Windows
95/98/NT platforms. It is being ported to the Java Virtual Machine for execution in
a web browser. In the meantime, programs can be compiled on a Windows platform and
the resulting E-machine code can be used to animate the Pascal programs on the web using
the web-based program animator (see previous bullet).
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| A Java to E-machine code compiler -- a general-purpose compiler backend that
converts abstract syntax trees in a particular format into E-machine code for animation of
the source program in the program animator. This work is the PhD dissertation topic
of team member Chris Boroni. Java is the programming language being compiled to test
the concept.
|
| Theory of
Computing -- an ambitious project to animate the primary concepts of the theory of
computing. This work will constitute the PhD thesis of team member Michael
Grinder. Currently a finite state automaton animator is finished. The eventual
objective is to allow students to explore such important and difficult concepts as
NP-completeness in an interactive fashion on the web.
|
| Context free grammars -- a sub project related to the theory of computing project.
This project is being completed by Master's student Jessica Lambert.
|
| Parsing -- a relatively recent undertaking, animating aspects of the theory of
parsing, such as the construction of the First, Follow, and Predict sets, along with the
LL(k) tables, needed for top down parsing is now the focus of team member Nick
Degenhart.
|
| Snapshots of the Theory
of Computing -- a great, relatively new project investigating the construction of
hypertextbooks that are accessible via standard web browsers and which incorporate
animation, sound, and judicious use of hyperlinks to tailor educational material to the
various learning styles and backgrounds of learners. As a test case. modules
(snapshots) of the theory of computing are being developed based on the animation projects
described earlier.
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| Women and computing -- an ongoing
effort to attract more women to the discipline of computing.
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| Pedagogy and evaluation -- a new effort to
acquire expertise in pedagogy (e.g., different learning styles) and resource evaluation
techniques.
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| Interdisciplinary initiatives -- a concerted effort to involve faculty from other
disciplines in the construction, delivery, and evaluation of web-based educational
resources. The Webworks team will offer expertise and equipment for web-based
resource design, implementation, and evaluation.
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