A computational science agenda for programming language research

Add to your list(s) Download to your calendar using vCal

• Dominic Orchard (University of Cambridge)
• Monday 02 June 2014, 14:00-15:00
• SS03, William Gates Building.

If you have a question about this talk, please contact Andrew Rice.

Scientific models are often expressed as large and complicated programs. These programs embody numerous assumptions made by the developer (e.g. for differential equations, the discretization strategy and resolution). The complexity and pervasiveness of these assumptions means that often the only true description of the model is the software itself. This has led various researchers to call for scientists to publish their source code along with their papers. I argue that this is unlikely to be beneficial since it is almost impossible to separate implementation assumptions from the original scientific intent. Instead I advocate higher-level abstractions in programming languages, coupled with lightweight verification techniques such as specification and type systems. In this talk, I suggest several possible techniques and outline an evolutionary approach to applying these to existing and future models. One-dimensional heat flow is used as an example throughout. This is joint work with Andrew Rice. The talk is a practice talk for ICCS 2014 (International Conference on Computational Science).

This talk is part of the Computer Laboratory Digital Technology Group (DTG) Meetings series.

This talk is included in these lists:

• All Talks (aka the CURE list)
• Cambridge talks
• Computer Laboratory Digital Technology Group (DTG) Meetings
• Department of Computer Science and Technology talks and seminars
• Interested Talks
• SS03, William Gates Building
• School of Technology
• Trust & Technology Initiative - interesting events
• bld31

Note that ex-directory lists are not shown.