Using Actors and the SALSA Programming Language to Introduce Concurrency in Computer Science II

The SALSA programming language was used in a two week module to introduce concurrent and distributed programming concepts to computer science II students at the University of North Dakota. Computer science II is taught using Java, which made for an easy transition to using SALSA for concurrent programming, as it has a similar syntax and allows the use of Java objects. The actor model was introduced, along with the and necessary concepts of concurrency, asynchronous message passing and distributed memory. As an evaluation, a survey was given to students before and after the module, with the results of the survey highlight the fact that early computer science students do have a natural understanding of many concurrent and distributed programming concepts. Further, they can make their minds up quickly, gaining confidence much easier than they gain actual knowledge. It was also observed that the students learned concepts better by applying them in programming assignments than by being presented them in lecture. This work provides motivation for longer, applied learning modules on concurrent and distributed programming in future early programming courses.