THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
GRADUATE SCHOOL OF
LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE

LIS 385T.18
GENERALIZED PROGRAMMING AND DATA STRUCTURES
A. W. Donoho and R. E. Wyllys

COURSE DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY

LIS 385T.18, Generalized Programming and Data Structures
An introduction to the underlying concepts of computer programming and of the structures used for storing and handling information and programs in computers, with special attention to the problems of textual databases and the handling of natural-language data. Emphasizes the algorithmic approach to the analysis and solution of problems; provides experience in implementing algorithms through the use of LISP. [Note: No prior knowledge of computer programming is assumed or required.]

OBJECTIVES

• You will acquire an understanding of programming concepts and of the rôle of algorithms in programming and in other areas of professional work.
• You will acquire basic fluency in LISP, one of the longest-lived programming languages in current use.
• You will acquire the foundation of information and skills to work knowledgeably with computer programmers (e.g., on library-automation projects).
• You will acquire an understanding of the techniques used in constructing and maintaining large files, especially those containing natural-language information.

TEXTS

Required

• Abelson, Harold; Sussman, Gerald J. Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press; 1985. 542p. ISBN:0--262-01077-1.

Recommended

• PC Scheme, Student Edition. Computer-program package available from: Ibuki, P. O. Box 1627, Los Altos 94022 (telephone 415-961-4996). Price: $52.55 plus shipping (ca. $4.00 for UPS Ground or $11.25 for UPS 2nd-day air). The package includes the PC Scheme program diskette and the following book:

  Texas Instruments. PC Scheme: User's Guide & Language Reference Manual. Redwood City, CA: Scientific Press; 1988. ISBN:0-89426-114-2.

• Eisenberg, M.; Abelson, H., editor. Programming in Scheme. Redwood City, CA: Scientific Press; 1988. ISBN:0-89426-115-0. Available from: The Scientific Press, 507 Seaport Court, Redwood City CA 94063-2731 (telephone: 800-451-5409). Price: $32.50 plus shipping (as above).
• Harel, D. Algorithmics: The Spirit of Computing, Second Edition. Reading, MA: Addison-Wesley; 1992. 476p. ISBN:0-201-50401-4. Available from: Addison-Wesley (telephone 800-447-2226). Price: $37.75 plus 8% sales tax and approximately 8% for shipping via UPS Ground.

STUDENT PARTICIPATION

The course will be a mixture of lectures by the instructors, classroom discussions, and work in the GSLIS Information Processing Laboratory (I. P. Lab) or elsewhere to carry out the assigned exercises using PC Scheme. You are expected to read through the Abelson and Sussman text, to participate in the classroom discussions, to work through the assigned microcomputer exercises, and to submit a term paper on a topic related to the algorithmic approach to information science. There will be a final examination, which will consist of two or three essay questions related to the topics discussed in the course.

COURSE GRADE

Your grade will be based 40% on your work on the assigned exercises, 20% on the final exam, 30% on the term paper, and 10% on class participation..

The purpose of the assigned exercises is to help you acquire an understanding of, and skill in using, basic concepts in computer programming. In order to receive a grade above D in the course, you must complete all the assigned exercises satisfactorily, repeating them as many times as necessary to do so.

Your written work will be graded not only on content but also on style. By style we mean general appearance, spelling, sentence construction, and the quality of the organization of your material. Specifically, the grade for your written report will be derived from two component letter grades: one grade on the basis of the content, and a second grade on the basis of style. The overall grade for your report will be an adjusted average of these two component grades.

Go to Wyllys Webpage.
Go to Wyllys's Faculty Page.
Go to GSLIS Webpage.

Last revised 1995 July 3