Theory in Programming Practice
📜 Abstract
We present four instances of the productive use of computer science theory in programming practice. Three are in the context of developing DrScheme, a popular programming environment for use with the Scheme programming language. One is in the context of teaching programming languages, which also uses DrScheme extensively.
✨ Summary
This paper discusses four instances where computer science theory has been productively applied to programming practice, specifically within the context of the DrScheme programming environment (now known as Racket). DrScheme is utilized extensively for educational purposes in teaching programming languages. The authors, Robert Bruce Findler and Matthew Flatt, explore how theoretical principles have guided practical implementations in the development and usage of DrScheme.
A quick web search reveals that DrScheme, as a pedagogical tool, is widely cited in academic literature concerning programming education and environments. It was particularly influential in the development of the Racket language and IDE, which are used in many computer science curricula today. The paper has laid groundwork by showing the importance of integrating theory with practical tool development, emphasizing the significant role of theory in advancing programming environments.
Though the influence is primarily within educational contexts and programming environment enhancements, its emphasis on theory as a guide for practical development frameworks has had a lasting impact on the field of education in programming languages. DrScheme has been referenced in various educational resources and continues to influence new generations of programmers through its evolved form in Racket.
References: 1. https://conservancy.umn.edu/handle/11299/215987 2. https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/1297027.1297033 3. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002436/http://www.plt-scheme.org/