Introduction to Systems Programming

2009/10 Catalog description

Prerequisites: CS 153 and 254. Introduction to the design of systems software. Topics include comparative machine organizations, the design of assemblers and loaders, an introduction to operating systems and an introduction to compiler design.

Logistics

Instructor

Dr. Stan Kurkovsky, Professor of Computer Science

Office

MS 303-08

Phone

(860) 832-2720

Fax

(860) 832-2712

E-mail

kurkovskysta@ccsu.edu

Office hours

MW 3:15 pm - 5:15 pm, TR 9:00 am - 9:30 am or by appointment

Class meetings

MW 6:45 pm - 8:00 pm @ TBA

Textbook and other reference materials

• Understanding Unix/Linux Programming: A Guide to Theory and Practice, by Bruce Molay. Prentice Hall, 2003, ISBN 0130083968
• Access to a Linux computer
• In-class handouts
• Companion web site available at http://www.prenhall.com/molay
• Instructor's web site available at http://www.cs.ccsu.edu/~stan/ and other web sites recommended by the instructor
• Linux notes

Learning outcomes

Program objectives and outcomes are supported by the following learning outcomes achieved by students upon a successful completion of this course:

1. Understand the role of systems programming (a);
2. Have hands-on knowledge of the basic principles of Unix system calls (b,c,i,j,k);
3. Have hands-on knowledge of the basic principles of Unix file system (b,c,i,j,k);
4. Have hands-on knowledge of the basic principles of Unix IO system (b,c,i,j,k);
5. Design and implement system-level applications for open-source operating systems (b,c,i,j,k).

Tentative schedule

Reference: M - Molay, Understanding Unix/Linux Programming: A Guide to Theory and Practice

Week 1: August 31 - September 4

• Lecture: Introduction; course overview and objectives.
  Reading: none
• Lecture: Unix Systems Programming: The Big Picture
  Reading: M 1
• Lab 0 (not for grade): Running a Linux box

Week 2: September 7 - September 11

• September 7 - Labor Day
• Lecture: Users, Files, and the Manual
  Reading: M 2
• Lab 1: ex. 2.11, 2.15 (pp. 69-70)

Week 3: September 14 - September 18

• Project 1: cat (switches: -E, -b, -n)

Week 4: September 21 - September 25

• Lecture: Directories and File Properties
  Reading: M 3
• Lab 2: ex. 3.13, 3.14 (p. 106)

Week 5: September 28 - October 2

• Project 2: touch (switches: -a, -m, -r; optional: recursive version to process subdirectories)

Week 6: October 5 - October 9

• Lecture: Focus on File Systems
  Reading: M 4
• Lab 3: ex. 4.16, 4.20 (p. 138)

Week 7: October 12 - October 16

• Project 3: multicolumn ls (ex. 3.10, p. 105; hint on p. 164)

Week 8: October 19 - October 23

• Midterm
• Project 4: find (usage: find subdirectory search_pattern)

Week 9: October 26 - October 30

• October 26 - Last day to withdraw from full-semester courses without approval
• Lecture: Connection Control
  Reading: M 5 

Week 10: November 2 - November 6

• Lab 4: ex. 5.22, 5.23 (p. 168)
• Project 5: wall

Week 11: November 9 - November 13

• Lecture: Terminal Control and Signals
  Reading: M 6
• Lab 5: ex. 6.7, 6.8, 6.10 (pp. 195-196)

Week 12: November 16 - November 20

• Lecture: Event-Driven Programming
  Reading: M 7
• Lab 6: ex. 7.9, 7.10 (p. 247)

Week 13: November 23 - November 27

• Project 6: snake
• November 25 - 29: Thanksgiving Recess - No Classes

Week 14: November 1 - December 4

• Lecture: Processes and Programs
  Reading: M 8

Week 15: December 7 - December 10

• Lab 7: ex. 8.8, 8.9 (p. 281)

Final: December 16

• Final exam: Wednesday, December 16, 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Linux

Students are required to have access to a Linux computer in order to fulfill all requirements of this course. There are many Linux distributions offering live CDs that do not require a physical installation on the target system - you can boot to Linux straight off a CD. These include Knoppix, Ubuntu, Suse, and others. A full list of all known live CD distributions of Linux with their ratings is also available.  Many computers on CCSU campus (including those in MS 314) can boot off these CDs. Students are also welcome to bring and use their laptops running Linux or Mac OS.

Helpful introductory notes by Mike Graff

Midterms

Midterms are non-cumulative and are designed as elementary evaluation devices and to prompt the student to stay abreast of assigned topics. Each test will take 50 minutes. Make-up tests may only be given if a student can provide a written proof of a serious reason for missing a test (such as illness or accident).

 Questions on a test may include:

• True/false questions,
• Multiple choice questions,
• Fill in the blank questions,
• Short answer questions.

Final exam

Final exam is a cumulative objective test of representative content of the entire semester's course offerings.

Labs and lab projects

During the labs students will work on hands-on problems focusing on the material covered in class lectures and reading assignments. Students can work on lab assignments individually or in teams of two. Deliverable for each lab is due no later than two weeks after the lab date. Labs in the schedule refer to exercises in the main textbook.

Honesty policy

It is expected that all students will conduct themselves in an honest manner (see the CCSU Student Handbook), and never turn in any work which is not their own. Violating this policy will result in a substantial grade penalty, and could result in expulsion from the University. However, students are allowed to discuss assignments with others and receive debugging help from others.

Attendance

All students are expected to attend class sessions regularly. However, recognizing individual differences, each student is responsible for his/her own attendance and for making-up any missed study or work. Limited assistance will be offered to those with plausible reasons for absences; unexcused absences will result in the student being totally responsible for the make-up process.

Help with computers

The University offers some student assistants who may be of value in helping students with basic computer functionality only, not with program writing.

Students with disabilities

Any student who feels s/he may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact me privately to discuss your specific needs. I will need a copy of the accommodation letter from Student Disability Services in order to arrange your class accommodations. Contact Student Disability Services, Room 241, Copernicus Hall, if you are not already registered with them. Student Disability Services maintains the confidential documentation of your disability and assists you in coordinating reasonable accommodations with your faculty.

Grades and evaluation

Students will be evaluated regularly during the semester and should be aware of their progress continuously during the semester. The final course grade will be reported according to the stated University policy.

The final course grade will be calculated according to the following distribution of points:

Course letter grade will be determined as follows:

A	A-	B+	B	B-	C+	C	C-	D+	D	D-	F
95-100	90-94	87-89	84-86	80-83	77-79	74-76	70-73	67-69	64-66	60-63	0-59