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Back to Programming Languages, Part B

Learner Reviews & Feedback for Programming Languages, Part B by University of Washington

4.9
stars
768 ratings

About the Course

[As described below, this is Part B of a 3-part course. Participants should complete Part A first -- Part B "dives right in" and refers often to material from Part A.] This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of programming languages, with a strong emphasis on functional programming. The course uses the languages ML, Racket, and Ruby as vehicles for teaching the concepts, but the real intent is to teach enough about how any language “fits together” to make you more effective programming in any language -- and in learning new ones. This course is neither particularly theoretical nor just about programming specifics -- it will give you a framework for understanding how to use language constructs effectively and how to design correct and elegant programs. By using different languages, you will learn to think more deeply than in terms of the particular syntax of one language. The emphasis on functional programming is essential for learning how to write robust, reusable, composable, and elegant programs. Indeed, many of the most important ideas in modern languages have their roots in functional programming. Get ready to learn a fresh and beautiful way to look at software and how to have fun building it. The course assumes some prior experience with programming, as described in more detail in the first module of Part A. Part B assumes successful completion of Part A. The course is divided into three Coursera courses: Part A, Part B, and Part C. As explained in more detail in the first module of Part A, the overall course is a substantial amount of challenging material, so the three-part format provides two intermediate milestones and opportunities for a pause before continuing. The three parts are designed to be completed in order and set up to motivate you to continue through to the end of Part C. Week 1 of Part A has a more detailed list of topics for all three parts of the course, but it is expected that most course participants will not (yet!) know what all these topics mean....

Top reviews

VA

Mar 18, 2018

This course (as Part A and C) is great - Dan is great in teaching and the content is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about programming languages!

Warning - you might end up loving FP :)

AZ

Mar 23, 2018

Great course with really interesting and challenging assignments that allow to get more precise vision on programming languages (especially on PL's typing systems) and get experience with modern LISP

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76 - 100 of 173 Reviews for Programming Languages, Part B

By Yifeng M

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Jul 13, 2017

One of the Best course I have ever taken. A great many of concrete examples. Thanks!

By Sony

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Aug 21, 2020

Great course, I have learned a lot. The assignments are challenging and rewarding.

By steve b

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Apr 18, 2021

Solidified my understanding of many confusing topics, such as delayed evaluation.

By Ahmad H

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Dec 21, 2021

Very hard and challenging, definitely worth it if you like to challenge yourself

By Cheng Z

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Jun 2, 2017

It is great fun to learn Racket and use it to implement an interpreter for MUPL.

By Hayden S

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Dec 8, 2023

Wonderfully-structured class, the assignments and exams are well-thought-out.

By Xuân C T

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Jan 30, 2024

Very good course for people who want to open their skills about programming.

By Kevin Z

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Aug 16, 2018

Amazing course!!! Excellent lecturer!! Really learn a lot of PL and Racket.

By Shreck Y

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Jan 8, 2021

Excellent course that introduced me to the field of programming languages.

By Luis G

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Dec 31, 2019

excellent. not much to add to what has already been said in other reviews.

By Adel F

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Oct 11, 2020

The assignment is a bit hard but worthwhile if you manage to finish it

By Abhik K

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Nov 2, 2016

Part B of a 3 part course. One of the best i have taken up on Coursera

By Shiyang L

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Jan 14, 2017

More difficult than part A but also more rewarding. Thanks Prof. Dan!

By Ling J

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Apr 18, 2018

One of the best course on coursera, every cs student should take it.

By Xusheng Z

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Apr 25, 2021

Great Course.

The interpreter homework is challenging and rewarding.

By Ivan V

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Oct 20, 2017

One of the best courses on the subject I ever had a chance to see.

By walker

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Sep 11, 2016

I learn lots of important programming language concepts from here.

By Oleg K

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Jan 15, 2019

Some tasks were very challenging but the course is really awesome

By Yuhang W

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Mar 9, 2020

Learned a lot. Fall in love with PL because of this course!

By Tang H T

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Jan 14, 2019

Dan is awesome! It is best to take part a to c in sequence

By Suvrat A

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Sep 23, 2016

Dan Grossman is a really amazing teacher! Learnt a lot! :)

By Daniel K

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Sep 13, 2022

Awesome, easily on par with PLA. Looking forward to PLC!

By Deleted A

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Oct 2, 2016

Great course on Racket. Fun writing your own interpreter.

By Andrew D

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Jan 26, 2019

Good course with interesting and challenging assignments

By dynasty919

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Feb 22, 2018

great experience using racket writing a toy interpreter!