Language engineering -the theory and practice of building language processors and compilers, has long been recognized as important subject in Computer Science curricula. However, due to lack of suitable target systems, educators face significant challenges to teach language engineering classes effectively.Leveraging the emerging inexpensive robot devices, this paper presents a new approach of using robots as system context to teach language engineering topics. We designed the Chirp-Scribbler Language, which targets the popular Scribbler robot; combined together, they provide an engaging and feature-rich platform to teach a wide range of topics in language engineering. This paper describes the Chirp-Scribbler Language, its integration with the target robot, and the teaching practice of using them to teach language translation basics in an undergraduate programming course.
Traditionally, the topics of compiler construction and language processing have been taught as an elective course in Computer Science curricula. As such, students may graduate with little understanding or experience with the useful techniques embodied in modern compiler construction.In this paper, we present the design of Chirp, a language specification and compiler implementation. As a language, Chirp is based on Java/C syntax conventions and is matched with the stack-based virtual machine that is built into the simple yet versatile Handy Cricket educational robot controller. As a compiler, the Chirp design is a series of Java components. These modules demonstrate key compiler construction techniques including lexing, parsing, intermediate representation, semantic analysis, error handling and code generation.We have designed a 6-week teaching module to be integrated into an intermediate-level undergraduate programming class. In the module, students will incrementally build the Chirp compiler, culminating with code generation for the Cricket controller. They will test their work on both physical Cricket-based robots and a web-based Cricket simulator. The Chirp system and our pedagogical design provides a realistic and engaging environment to teach compilers in undergraduate core programming courses.
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