Increasing engagement in automata theory with JFLAP

Abstract

We describe the results from a two-year study with fourteen universities on presenting formal languages in a more visual, interactive and applied manner using JFLAP. In our results the majority of students felt that having access to JFLAP made learning course concepts easier, made them feel more engaged in the course and made the course more enjoyable. We also describe changes and additions to JFLAP we have made based on feedback from users. These changes include new algorithms such as a CYK parser and a user-controlled parser, and new resources that include a JFLAP online tutorial, a wiki and a listserv.

Using an interactive animated tool to improve the effectiveness of learning CPU scheduling algorithms

“…In the past two decades, a number of visualization and animation tools have been developed and used in many areas of computer science education [17]- [20]. While the achievement of learning outcomes as a result of using visualizations and animations has been mixed, there is evidence indicating that carefully designed visualizations and animations can have beneficial learning outcomes.…”

Changes to JFLAP to increase its use in courses

“…JFLAP [2,3] is software for creating and experimenting with several types of automata and grammars, and for experimenting with related construction-type proofs. With JFLAP one can build an NFA, then go through the steps in converting it to a DFA, then convert it to a minimal state DFA, then convert it to a regular grammar or a regular expression.…”

“…We define [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] on an arc to define 1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9 (1 or 2 or 3 or 4 or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 or 9) and similar notation for [a-z] and [A-Z].…”

Improving compilers education through symbol tables animations

“…One of them involves the lexical and syntactical analysis of source code based on the formal languages theory techniques. Here many tools can be found in the literature as JFlap [13,14] focused on authomata theory and formal languages, and VAST [1], CUPV [6], APA 1 [7] or GYacc [9] focused on parsing algorithms. The other part includes processes like syntax directed translation, with tools like as JACCIE [8], Lisa [11] or VCOCO [12], code generation and execution with tools like the PIPPIN Machine [3] and symbol table use or type checking for which we have not found any visualization tool aimed at education.…”