Martin Vechev: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2017

Name Prof. Dr. Martin Vechev
FieldComputer Science
Address
Inst. Programmiersprachen u. -syst
ETH Zürich, CAB H 69.1
Universitätstrasse 6
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 98 48
E-mailmartin.vechev@inf.ethz.ch
URLhttp://www.srl.inf.ethz.ch/
DepartmentComputer Science
RelationshipFull Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
252-0029-00LParallel Programming Information 7 credits4V + 2UT. Hoefler, M. Vechev
AbstractIntroduction to parallel programming: deterministic and non-deterministic programs, models for parallel computation, synchronization, communication, and fairness.
ObjectiveThe student should learn how to write a correct parallel program, how to measure its efficiency, and how to reason about a parallel program. Student should become familiar with issues, problems, pitfalls, and solutions related to the construction of parallel programs. Labs provide an opportunity to gain experience with threads, libraries for thread management in modern programming lanugages (e.g., Java, C#) and with the execution of parallel programs on multi-processor/multi-core computers.
252-0216-00LSoftware Architecture and Engineering Information 8 credits4V + 3UP. Müller, M. Vechev
AbstractThis course introduces both theoretical and applied aspects of software engineering and analysis. It covers:

- Software Architecture
- Informal and formal Modeling
- Design Patterns
- Code Refactoring
- Program Testing
- Dynamic Program Analysis
- Static Program Analysis
ObjectiveThe course has two main objectives:

- Obtain an end-to-end (both, theoretical and practical) understanding of the core techniques used for building quality software.

- Understand how to apply these techniques in practice.
ContentSome of the core technical topics covered will be:

- modeling and mapping of models to code
- common code design patterns
- functional and structural testing
- dynamic and static analysis
LiteratureWill be announced in the lecture.
263-2910-00LProgram Analysis and Synthesis Information 6 credits3V + 2UM. Vechev
AbstractThis course covers the theory and practice of modern automated program analysis and synthesis, including both, discrete and probabilistic programs.

The techniques discussed in the course are general and widely applicable to problems in software engineering and verification, security, networks, machine learning, and other areas.
Objective* Understand the foundations of automated program analysis and synthesis techniques, including standard (discrete) and probabilistic programs.

* Understand how these foundations are applied to solve practical real-world problems.

* Understand how to interface these methods to other research areas (e.g., deep learning, Bayesian inference, security, networks)

* Understand the state-of-the-art in the area and future trends.
ContentThe last decade has seen an explosion in modern program analysis and synthesis techniques. These techniques are increasingly being used to reason about a vast range of computational paradigms, from finding security flaws in systems software (e.g., drivers) to automating the construction of programs (e.g., for end user programming), to programmable networks, to reliable machine learning models (e.g., probabilistic programming). This course provides a comprehensive introduction to these methods.

The course consists of 3 parts:

* Part I: Theory and Practice of Static Analysis

Static analysis is the science of creating precise and scalable finite approximations of potentially infinite behaviors so to enable a machine to automatically reason about these. These behaviors may come from programs but also other dynamic systems (e.g., biological). Hence the theory and principles of static analysis are widely applicable. We will cover:

- concepts: abstract interpretation, abstract domains, precision vs. asymptotic complexity
- applications: JavaScript type checking (as in Facebook's Flow), security analysis, parallelism and concurrency reasoning (e.g., GPU, weak memory).

* Part II: Theory and Practice of Synthesis

Modern program synthesis is an approach for automating the construction of programs from (partial) user intent. Recent years have seen exciting breakthroughs in techniques and algorithms that discover complex programs purely from input/output examples, natural language, partial programs (sketches) and many others forms of supervision and intent. Modern program synthesis can be seen as a path towards the ultimate goal of artificial intelligence and explainable machine learning. We will cover:

- concepts: version spaces, counter-example guided inductive synthesis, SMT solvers.
- applications: programming by example (e.g., Microsoft's FlashFill), programmable networks (e.g., SyNet).

* Part III: Programming Languages (PL) and Machine Learning (ML)

We will cover the latest and most exciting developments bridging the areas of machine learning and programming languages. These trends include both directions: (i) PL techniques applied to ML problems, and (ii) ML techniques applies to PL tasks (e.g., reasoning about a program). Here, we will cover:

- concepts: probabilistic programming, neural program synthesis (e.g., advance neural networks such as Neural Turing Machines), program synthesis with noise.
- applications: approximate computing, learning-based probabilistic programming engines (e.g., http://jsnice.org, http://apk-deguard.com)


To gain a deeper understanding of how to apply these techniques, the course will also involve a hands-on programming project.
Lecture notesThe lectures notes will be distributed in class.
LiteratureDistributed in class.
Prerequisites / NoticeThis course is aimed at both graduate (M.Sc., PhD) students as well as advanced undergraduate students.

The course has an oral exam, but for those on summer internships, the exam can be moved to the end of the semester.
264-5811-00LProgramming Systems Seminar Information Restricted registration - show details
The seminar is open to assistants of the Chair of Programming Methodology and the Software Reliability Lab (Department of Computer Science). Others should contact the instructors.
2 credits2SP. Müller, M. Vechev
AbstractThis graduate seminar provides doctoral students in computer science a chance to read and discuss current research papers. Enrollment requires permission of the instructors. Credit units are granted only to active participants.
ObjectiveLearn about current research results in the area of programming languages, static program analysis, program verification, and related areas; practice of scientific presentations.
ContentThe seminar will explore different topics from a research perspective.
Lecture notesSupporting material will be distributed during the seminar.
Prerequisites / NoticeThe seminar is open to assistants of the Chair of Programming Methodology and the Software Reliability Lab (Department of Computer Science). Others should contact the instructors.