In the last week of the semester, you will be expected to present a 20-30 minute lecture on a scripting programming language. Working in a team of two or three people, you will research a particular language and present an overview to the class. Language options include Python, Ruby, Perl, PHP, and Lua. Your team must have your language choice approved by the instructor before proceeding.

The format of the presentations is up to you, although the following content should be included: an overview and history of the language, its design goals, language features (including binding choices, memory management, and support for abstraction), sample code, and real-world applications. The presentation will be graded both on content and the quality of the presentation. You should utilize some form of presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint) so that your presentation can be made available for all students in the class to review. The following intermediate checkpoints are enforced to provide constructive feedback in the development process:

February 26

By this date, you should have organized your team, selected a language, and received approval for your language from the instructor.

March 19 (worth 10 pts)

By this date, you should have researched the language and obtained hands-on experience developing code in that language. You will meet with the instructor and give an informal overview of the language, commenting on issues that will eventually go into the presentation.

April 9 (worth 20 pts)

By this date, you must have the content of your presentation completed (e.g., your PowerPoint slides). You will hand in a copy of your presentation and meet with the instructor to discuss it. The instructor may make suggestions as to changes or additions in the content of the presentation.

April 20 (worth 20 pts)

By this date, you must give a practice presentation for the instructor. The instructor may make suggestions for improving the delivery of the presentation.

Aprill 22 - 29 (worth 50 pts)

In the final week of the semester, you will be expected to present your language to the class.