LaST: Language Study Tool

Abstract

An important challenge when studying the semantics2 of programming languages is understanding the way syntactical constructions in high-level programming languages produce algorithms that are bound to the underlying virtual machine, and the way basic computer resources such as registers and memory are used and managed. This document describes an educational tool developed to assist teaching and to help students learn programming language semantics. This software tool, LaST (Language Study Tool) provides graphic feedback and interaction, allowing the study of the semantics of programming languages while visualizing their internal machine representation, and the actions triggered by certain high-level instructions. LaST includes four different high-level languages, and an assembly-like language, running in a user interface that allows source code and assembly code highlighting, step-by-step execution and graphical representation of computer resources. All these provide a rich learning environment that help the instructor explaining programming language related subjects, and allows the students to construct a more dynamic and integrated vision of them.