Compiling Java to Support Education

by
Kathy Gray

Advised by
Matthew Flatt

Professional compilers, for Java and other languages, do not provide clear error messages for beginning students. They also include features of Java that are far more confusing than useful for beginning programmers. Our work presents a pedagogic Java compiler with error messages written for a beginning student and language modifications designed to support class content without overwhelming beginners. Students are presented with three Java-like languages, each adding more semantic features, before programming in standard Java. This compiler is integrated with the DrScheme programming environment, and has been used in CS2010 and second semester courses at other institutions.