Scripting languages — the JavaScripts, Pythons, Luas of this world — play a central role in today’s programming, but offer significant challenges to traditional programming languages activities like designing formal semantics, type systems, and other analytic tools. In this presentation I will discuss lessons learned from a ten year investigation at Brown into scripting languages.

Homework to prepare for the session: please watch the Wat talk by Gary Bernhardt (< 5 minutes).

I am the Vice President for Programming Languages at Brown University in Providence, RI, USA. I’m not, really, but that’s what it says on my business card. I believe tropical fruit are superior to all other kinds. I’d almost certainly rather be out riding a bike up a mountain (slowly) than being at whatever event this bio sketch is being shown for. I am terrified of success, because I may be forced to buy a suit. You can learn other things about me from my very serious Web site. I am also known to interrogate my audiences to ensure they’re paying attention. So, be alert. You can read email later.