Robert Dyer

About Robert Dyer

Laboratory for Software Design
Department of Computer Science
Iowa State University
226 Atanasoff Hall
Ames IA 50011-1041 USA

Research Lab: 116A Atanasoff Hall
Major Professor: Prof. Hridesh Rajan

Email:
Phone: +1-515-367-0762
Fax: +1-515-294-0258


Education

Research Interests

My current research interests are in software engineering and programming languages. I am interested in improving upon or developing new programming models to maintain the benefits of software engineering practices such as separation of concerns, agile software development, etc.

I am part of the Laboratory for Software Design research group. I currently work on the Ptolemy language. Ptolemy provides the benefits of separation of cross-cutting concerns while maintaining the separate type-checking, compilation and reasoning properties of standard object-oriented languages. I have helped develop the research compiler (based on the JastAdd compiler framework) as well as performed large-scale empirical studies on the language.

I have also worked on the Nu project, an aspect-oriented intermediate language. Nu adds two simple constructs to object-oriented programs and is capable of emulating most high-level constructs of languages like AspectJ, Eos, etc. This new model allows maintaining separation of cross-cutting concerns into the object code, potentially improving post-compilation processes such as incremental compilation, unit testing, debugging, tool support, etc.

Recent Publications

  • Robert Dyer, Hridesh Rajan and Yuanfang Cai, "An Exploratory Study of the Design Impact of Language Features for Aspect-oriented Interfaces", In 11th International Conference on Aspect-Oriented Software Development (AOSD 2012), Mar 30, 2012. Potsdam, Germany. [PDF]
  • Rex D. Fernando, Robert Dyer and Hridesh Rajan, "Event Type Polymorphism", In 11th Workshop on Foundations of Aspect-Oriented Languages (FOAL 12), A workshop affiliated with AOSD 2012, Mar 26, 2012. Potsdam, Germany. [PDF]
  • Hridesh Rajan, Gary T. Leavens and Robert Dyer, "Modularizing Crosscutting Concerns with Ptolemy", Tutorial at the 26th International Conference on Automated Software Engineering (ASE 2011), Nov 08, 2011. Lawrence, KS. [slides]
  • Hridesh Rajan, Sean Mooney, Gary T. Leavens, Robert Dyer, Rex D. Fernando, Mohammad Ali Darvish Darab and Bryan Welter, "Modularizing Crosscutting Concerns with Ptolemy", Demonstration at the 2nd International Conference on Systems, Programming, Languages, and Applications: Software for Humanity (SPLASH 2011), Oct 26, 2011. Portland, OR. [slides]
  • See more...

Teaching Experience

  • Teaching Assistant, ComS 342, Principles of Programming Languages, Fall 2010
  • Teaching Assistant, ComS 207, Introduction to Programming (non-majors), Fall 2009
  • Teaching Assistant, ComS 562, Database Implementation, Fall 2007
  • Teaching Assistant, ComS 440/540, Principles of Compiling, Spring 2007
  • Teaching Assistant, Ex Sp 170, Taekwondo/Karate I
    • Fall 2007, Spring 2007, Fall 2006, Spring 2006, Fall 2005

Recent Professional Services

Other Interests

In addition to research, I am actively involved in martial arts. Since 2005, I have studied Taekwondo under the direction of Grand Master Yong Chin Pak and I am currently a member of the ISU Taekwondo Club. I have also studied Hapkido off and on.

Martial arts are about more than just kicking and punching. Martial arts are a way of life. The core teachings of Grand Master Pak involve the five tenants: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. I strive to apply these tenants to all parts of my daily routine, not just martial arts.