Welcome to CS 421 (Summer 2026)!
Quick Links
This course is about programming languages. As a result of taking this course, you can expect the following:
- You will learn how to implement a programming language.
- You will be able to document the language so that other people can understand your language, and create their own implementations without breaking anything.
- You will not be merely a “consumer” of languages; you will have the ability to create your own.
- You will be able to look at a research paper on languages and at least have an idea what they are talking about.
- You will understand some of the fundamental abilities and limitations of programming languages.
- You will learn Functional Programming, an old paradigm of programming language that is starting to see rapid adoption in industry.
- In particular, you will learn the Haskell programming language.
Format
CS 421 Summer 2026 is 100% asynchronous online. There are no scheduled lecture meetings; all content is delivered via recorded videos. Exams are AI-proctored online through ProctorU.
Getting Started
- Join the Discord. Invite info is on the Communication page.
- Read the Syllabus so you know what to expect from this course.
- Read the advice for How to Succeed in this Course.
- Set up your system (install Haskell, clone the release repo). We use GHC 9.8.4 with Stack resolver
lts-23.28.