Crii: SHF: systematic construction of teaching language progressions for embedded domain-specific languages

This National Science Foundation (NSF) Project Grant under the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CFDA 47.070) program provides $195,000 to Seton Hall University to explore the development of teaching language progressions for embedded domain-specific languages (EDSLs). The project aims to make programming more accessible to novice learners by simplifying EDSLs into starter versions and gradually introducing complexity. The research will create two tailored teaching EDSLs (TEDSLs) for algebraic pattern matching and constraint logic programming, which will be designed to align with learners' growing proficiency. The project will conduct a pilot study with novice students to evaluate the effectiveness of these TEDSLs in terms of learning outcomes and engagement levels. This endeavor is expected to yield significant advances in programming language design and computer science education, fostering an easier transition for learners to master expert-level EDSLs and shaping future pedagogical strategies. No sub awards are planned for this award, which has an ultimate completion date of March 31, 2026.

Abstract

The project explores the development of teaching language progressions for embedded domain-specific languages (edsls), focusing on making programming more accessible to novice learners. IT addresses the challenging transition from basic programming to advanced edsls. The project's novelties are its approach to simplify edsls into starter versions, gradually introducing complexity, and its methodology to construct these teaching languages by repurposing existing edsl components. The project's impacts are significant, aiming to democratize programming education and enhance learners' grasp of complex programming languages, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and skilled programming community. In a more technical scope, the project employs a structured approach to create two tailored teaching edsls (tedsls), specifically for algebraic pattern matching and constraint logic programming. These tedsls are designed to evolve in complexity, aligning with the learners' growing proficiency. The investigator will conduct a pilot study with novice students to evaluate the effectiveness of these tedsls, assessing both learning outcomes and engagement levels. This endeavor is expected to yield significant advances in programming language design and computer science education, fostering an easier transition for learners to master expert-level edsls and potentially shaping future pedagogical strategies in programming education. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.