iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 24/09/2026

Un énorme merci à Julien for presenting the Cultures of Programming book at @lambdanantes.bsky.social!

Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 24/09/2026

Claude has discovered a previously unknown programming language construct. We don’t yet understand what this construct does, but only a handful of known constructs share its features

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‹Programming› Conference @programming-conf.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

In 2027, the International Conference on the Art, Science, and Engineering of Programming (‹Programming› 2027) will be held from 15 to 19 March in Kyoto, Japan. We are looking for workshops and similar events. More info, deadlines, and submissions: 2027.programmingconference.org/track/progra...

2027.programmingconference.org

‹Programming› 2027 - Workshops - ‹Programming› 2027

To build a community and to foster an environment where participants can exchange ideas and experiences related to practical software development, <Programming> will host a number of workshops and sim...

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 21/09/2026

Charles University has a new funding scheme! If you are international researcher who wants to join us in Prague (3-12 years after your PhD), consider applying: cuni.cz/UKEN-2541.html The deadline (9 Nov) is tight, but it's a new thing. Happy to help anyone with interests overlapping with mine!

cuni.cz

About the programme

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 21/09/2026

Not something I was expecting! An AI startup has secretly been building a model for controlling programming systems based on my choose-your-adventure calculus formalism, to be presented at Onward! 2026 Here are some quick experimenters using TypeSafe AI's Jev: tomasp.net/blog/2026/co...

tomasp.net

Completing Programming Adventures with Jev

Was the System One model Jev built to work with my choose-your-own-adventure calculus model of programming systems? The fit is perfect! In this post, I run a couple of experiments to evaluate accurac...

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 18/09/2026

One more Denicek demo! We use managed copy & paste to copy a formula with a bug. We can go back in history before the copying, fix the formula & merge the edit. This fixes the copied formula too. Check it out: tomasp.net/denicek/#cha...

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 17/09/2026

How to build a TODO list app in Denicek? See it for yourself here: tomasp.net/denicek/ You can use programming-by-demonstration to record steps copying new item to a list. A neat trick is that, when you add "completed" checkboxes, replaying the "Add" action adds them too! (By merging edits...)

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 15/09/2026

We presented Denicek at UIST 2025. Now you can play with the demos interactively! Write a counter and TODO list app, organise a conference with co-organisers, clean data in an interactive notebook... Essay backed by the real implementation: tomasp.net/denicek/ (with @jonathoda.bsky.social)

tomasp.net

Denicek: Computational substrate for document-oriented end-user programming

Programming by demonstration, collaborative editing, incremental recomputation and handling of schema change can make programming easier, but how can we support all of them in a single system? Denicek...

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 01/09/2026

I have been neglecting my website... But at least, I managed to upload all the papers, done recently with amazing students and collaborators! Including three papers to be presented at SPLASH in Oakland. Get them all from: tomasp.net

Listing of papers:

Timeline: Adding the Time Dimension to Spreadsheets
In Proceedings of OOPSLA 2026

Towards Critical Abstraction for Software
In Proceedings of Onward! Essays 2026

The Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Calculus
In Proceedings of Onward! Papers 2026

Formal Semantics and Type System for Vega Data Transformations In Proceedings of FTfJP 2026

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 27/08/2026

The only course I attended during my PhD in computer science at Cambridge was on Mercury (the chemical element) and it was great!

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 01/07/2026

Getting ready for my #ecoop academy tutorial on programming systems!

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 29/06/2026

On my way to #ecoop! (*) Don't miss Kristýna's talk about our work on formalising Vega on Tue (2026.ecoop.org/home/FTfJP-2...) and my Academy talk on programming systems on Wed (2026.ecoop.org/track/ecoop-...). (*) The first three connections are not Deutsche Bahn, so I'm optimistic :-)

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 14/05/2026

My university has a fund for post-docs coming from abroad! If you are interested in working with me & our group on something related to programming systems and languages, from PL, HCI or historical & philosophical perspectives, get in touch (ideally in a few days...) See: cuni.cz/UKEN-178.html

cuni.cz

Junior Fund

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フラジークHLADÍK・ラジムRadim @hlageek.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

📣What's new? The Novelty and Inequalities in Science symposium will be held in Prague (Oct. 8–9, 2026)! Please consider proposing an abstract on the topics of recognizing and rewarding novelty in science. More details: stss.flu.cas.cz/novelty2026 #scienceofscience #metascience #sociologyofscience 🧪

stss.flu.cas.cz

Novelty and Inequalities in Science

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Informatika na Matfyzu @informatfyz.cuni.cz · 15/04/2026

Programování není jen kód, je to kultura! 💻📜 Rektor UK Jiří Zima udělil prestižní Cenu Bedřicha Hrozného za tvůrčí počin a my máme obrovskou radost, že ji získal docent Tomáš Petříček z naší @mff.unikarlova.cuni.cz! 🏆

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 13/04/2026

Do I replace: "massive blind spot: it focuses on" with "massive blind spot—it focuses on" and make my grant application look AI generated (*) but save the one character that I need to save? ____ (*) Regardless of whether it actually is or is not. That's a separate question!

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Alexander Bandukwala @bandukwala.me · 27/02/2026

I’m looking for participants for a paid user study on a prototype system for tabular programming (programming with tables / data frames). 2 hours • $50 Visa prepaid card Hoping to finish sessions by March 13. Details + sign up in 🧵 Reposts appreciated! 🙏

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 12/02/2026

We created an exhibition to go along with my 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 book! tomasp.net/cultures/exh... It tells the story of how programming concepts methodologies emerge amidst clashes and collaborations between cultures. 🖼If you want to display this at your university or conference, let me know!

tomasp.net

Cultures of Programming - A Companion Exhibition to the Book

How interactions and disagreements between the different cultures of programming shaped programming concepts and methodologies that programmers use today, including programming languages, types and ob...

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Informatika na Matfyzu @informatfyz.cuni.cz · 11/02/2026

👩‍💻 Dnes slavíme Mezinárodní den žen a dívek ve vědě. Na Matfyzu potkáváme každý den inspirativní vědkyně a studentky, které posouvají hranice technologií. 🚀 Děkujeme všem našim kolegyním a studentkám za jejich práci, preciznost a nadšení. Jste inspirací pro budoucí generace informatiček! 💙

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 10/02/2026

The @undonecs.org programme has 27 (!!) talks asking some of the most fundamental questions about computer science. The early registration deadline is February 16th, so sign up soon: www.undonecs.org/2026/program... (Also, it costs between 10x and ∞x less than your regular ACM CS conference.)

undonecs.org

Conference programme

2nd conference on Undone Science in Computer Science

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 09/02/2026

After some *checks notes* umm.. 6 years, I released a new version of my composable data visualization library, adding support for images! compostjs.github.io/compost/demo... I still think this is the best way of doing composable data visualizations. See the paper: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 02/02/2026

A new web page for my book! tomasp.net/cultures/ It has all the links you may need to get the open access PDF, buy a hardcopy or an ebook as well as some older talks & slides. If you run a podcast, conference or a user group, I'm always hapy to join & talk about something from the book!

tomasp.net

Cultures of Programming - The Development of Programming Concepts and Methodologies

What defines a correct program? What education makes a good programmer? The answers to these questions depend on whether programs are seen as mathematical entities, engineered socio-technical systems ...

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 27/01/2026

I've now reached a stage in my career where I have to carefuly manage my time - and so I create a list of todo items to work on at the start of each month to keep myself organized!

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Laurence Tratt @ltratt.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

If you're thinking of applying to PLISS, you've got three days left! pliss.org/2026/registr...

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 19/01/2026

My book in the newly published books bookshelf in the Cambridge University Bookshop! I got my first book on programming languages from there and used to wonder in basically every weekend to see what's new :-)

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 16/01/2026

Can someone explain to me, why the "Basic" version of the ACM DL only gives me a link to a crappy "eReader" but the pro version includes link to the PDF? Did they build "eReader" just to frustrate users? Greasemonkey script to the rescue... but why?

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 14/01/2026

@adamgryu.bsky.social We loved playing A Short Hike over the holiday break... and this was the result 😀 Thank you for creating a beautiful game!

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 13/01/2026

Looking forward to coming to this amazing conference exploring the gaps in computer science research!

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Stefan Marr @stefan-marr.de · 12/01/2026

.@julien-lange.bsky.social and I are looking for a PostDoc to work on our EPSRC Project "INDIMO: Invariant Discovery and Monitoring for Message-Passing Programs". If you know someone, or are interested, please reach out! A few details here: jobs.royalholloway.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx...

jobs.royalholloway.ac.uk

Job Opportunity at Royal Holloway University of London: Postdoctoral Research Associate

Full-Time, Fixed-Term until 30 November 2028Applications are invited for the post of Post Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in the Department of Computer Science at Royal Holloway.This is a three-year full-time position funded by the EPSRC project...

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 09/01/2026

Do I know anyone in Cambridge who could stop by at the University Press Bookshop at the Market Square to take a picture of the newly published books? cc @dorchard.bsky.social @dynamicaspects.org @anil.recoil.org I've seen a physical copy of my book in the wild, so I'd love a picture from the source!

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 19/12/2025

The open access version of Cultures of Programming is now available online. Just in time for the holiday break! Read it here: www.cambridge.org/core/books/c... If you prefer a real book, use PETRICK26 for a 20% discount (valid until January 31) at: www.cambridge.org/9781009492348

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 15/12/2025

I have a bunch of very old #fsharp code running as Suave-based AppServices on Azure (net40, I know, I know). I've used up my free Azure credits, so this needs some kind of upgrade or migration. What's the least-work and most future-proof way to migrate this and host it at a reasonable cost?

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 09/12/2025

What defines a correct program? What education makes a good programmer? The answer depends on what culture of programming you subscribe to! This has been a long time in the making, but my open access book on the history of programming is available for pre-order! www.cambridge.org/core/books/c...

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 08/12/2025

In the last part of my tiny systems course, we get to implement a tiny version of the world's most widely used programming language! TinyExcel: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghRA...

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 02/12/2025

Next in my tiny systems course - write your own TinySelf! Learn about the genuinely elegant prototype-based object-oriented inspiration for JavaScript where everything is an object. www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pre...

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 02/12/2025

𝐎𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲 New paper with Joel Jakubovic We wrote this for my PhD supervisor Alan Mycroft's festschrift, where you can get away with having some fun when writing! With the hope it will be insightful and fun to read too :-) tomasp.net/academic/pap...

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 24/11/2025

Another meeting of our Programming Languages and Systems group at @mff.unikarlova.cuni.cz - with more interactive theorem proving 🤨 Natty can check proofs in natural English language!

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 23/11/2025

It turns out that debugging a system where everything is an object without some kind of object browser is impossible. So.... the TinySelf lab of my tiny programming systems course will have a truly innovative UI component :-)

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 17/11/2025

The next lab from my tiny systems course is up. Learn how to write your own small implementation of the logic programming language Prolog in #fsharp! www.youtube.com/watch?v=KC7A...

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 14/11/2025

F# 10 makes it possible to use let! .. and! to await two tasks in parallel. This brings back some memories!

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 10/11/2025

What if we think about proof assistants/dependently typed languages as interactive programming systems? Discussion today @mff.unikarlova.cuni.cz (And yes, our building has fairly thick walls :-))

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 07/11/2025

Booked my train tickets for a trip to a PhD defense in Aarhus! Maybe it's not faster than flying, but I get to go from a train station 10 minutes walk from where I live. 🚂👍

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 23/10/2025

In the next lab from my Tiny Systems course, you learn how type inference in ML-like languages works and write your own Hindley-Milner inference algorithm! 🎞️ Watch the videos: www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUFQ... ⌨️ Get the #fsharp code: github.com/tpetricek/ti...

youtube.com

TinyHM 4.1 - How type inference in ML works

YouTube video by Tomas Petricek

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 20/10/2025

In the second lab of my Tiny Systems course, we write a small interactive BASIC interpreter, inspired by Commodore 64 (Dijkstra does not approve...) 🎞️Watch the videos on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR0m... ⌨️Get the source code here: github.com/tpetricek/ti...

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 17/10/2025

I'm afraid I've just recorded a video for my Tiny Systems course on how great GOTO was in Commodore 64 BASIC :-) (Although, to be fair, I also mention some benefits of GOSUB and RETURN, which is included in bonus materials...)

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 16/10/2025

Absolutely fascinating 1960 ad for the SAGE (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) computer! www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCCL... For those curious about what this is, there is an excellent book by Rebecca Slayton that documents the software side of the missile defense: mitpress.mit.edu/978026254957...

youtube.com

IBM Sage Computer Ad, 1960

YouTube video by chiklit

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Tomas Petricek @tomasp.net · 11/10/2025

To be honest, I feel this is bragging about doing poorly in a meaningless league table.

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