Spring 2026 Computer Science 4580. 1/14/2026

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Note: you can find this page by going to the syllabus in canvas and then clicking "home" and "lectures" and "0114.html".

Video of the Day

The Story of Python and how it took over the world | Python: The Documentary. Key points: mostly a bunch of nerdy white guys (now there are PyLadies but no MeToo's unlike GNU and Linux), Guido is actually pretty chill which is reflected in Python itself, civil war over Python 2 vs 3, bitterness over the walrus operator.

Decision Problem of the Day

The AI Fairy will grant you one wish. What would you like computers to do (or not to do)?

https://pollev.com/slade You may also download the app to your phone. Use the "slade" poll id.

Canvas Quiz of the Day (need daily password)

Most days, there will be a simple canvas quiz related to the lecture. You need a password to activate the quiz, which I will provide in class. These quizzes will count toward your class participation grade. The quiz is available only during class.

Click for today's quiz.

Announcements

Let us know if you have an upcoming event you would like to share with the class.

STEM Navigators Spring Kickoff and STEM Extracurricular Bazaar, Friday January 16th, 3-5pm, Poorvu Center.

Join STEM Navigators on Friday, January 16th from 3 pm - 5 pm at the Poorvu Center for our Spring Kickoff and Extracurricular Bazaar! We'll have hot chocolate and cookies for you to enjoy as you explore the plethora of STEM Extracurriculars at Yale and learn how you can get involved! There will be 20+ extracurriculars in various STEM fields at this event! See our complete list of organizations here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19la371jyH-zKVxNwdqnNF8MdmlKZC0Qb9CxwFwAelG4/edit?usp=sharing. Register for the event here: https://cglink.me/2dA/r2314063! Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of involvement in STEM Navigators!

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Code Haven

Are you interested in community service? Are you passionate about teaching? Do you have an interest in computer science? If so, consider applying to be a mentor for Code Haven!
Code Haven is a non-profit student organization dedicated towards increasing computer science outreach to New Haven public schools. Every week, mentors will go to local New Haven schools to teach computer science lessons. Mentors are responsible for teaching computer science concepts, mentoring projects, and fostering valuable connections with students. No prior computer science knowledge is needed! The time commitment is roughly ~3 hours a week to make a difference in the local community!
If interested, please fill out a short application HERE that is due Sunday, January 18th, 2026 at 11:59pm. Please feel free to reach out to codehavenyale@gmail.com with any questions and we hope to read your application soon!

Lecture

I have office hours Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30-3:30pm pm, on zoom, id 459 434 2854. No office hours Monday January 19th.

There is no class on Monday, January 19th. Instead we will meet next Friday, January 23rd.

Complete the online student information sheet.

Assignments

You can begin work on hw 1

The Realm of Decisions

For discussion in class: draft reasons for and against the following:
- Getting a tattoo. (Note: Petersen Graph.)
We assume that you have relationships with a variety of people: family, friends, colleagues, classmates, etc. Also discuss who among them will be affected by your choice, either positively or negatively. Discuss your decision process. Use the Discussions section of canvas (not Ed Discussion).

Introduction to Decision Making

What is a correct decision? See A Realistic Model of Rationality. This short paper provides a high-level introduction to the topics we will discuss in this course: goals, plans, resources, relationships, goal adoption, explanations, subjective decisions, emotions, advice, and persuasion. We contrast it with the standard economic decision theory. We want to develop a theory that can be implemented in a computer program.

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