Learning outcomes
At the completion of this module a student should:
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be able to demonstrate understanding of the nature and function of operating systems at a generic level;
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be able to analyse issues of resource management, especially of processes, memory and filestore;
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be able to evaluate a range of techniques for tackling the problems that arise in concurrent systems;
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have an appreciation of the issues involved in security of computer systems and judge the applicability of differrent approaches to providing it.
Brief description
This course introduces the basic principles of operating systems and discusses the important underlying concepts, including the problems of concurrency.
Aims
The purpose of this module is to provide a basic introduction to operating systems and the underlying concepts of processes, resource management, security, and concurrent systems. Software engineers should be aware of techniques associated with these concepts which are needed in applications other than operating systems.
Content
1. Introduction to Operating Systems - 2 Lectures
A brief historical overview with examples of important systems. Different styles of operating system (e.g., real time, batch, program development). Operating systems as a vehicle for the portability of application programs.
2. Program and Human Interfaces - 2 Lectures
Operating system services. Human interface, command languages. Introduction to UNIX: Structure, Program/User Interface. The gross structure of an operating system: layered architecture and its benefits for implementation and maintenance.
3. Processes and Concurrency - 9 Lectures
The idea of a process and its life history. Process control blocks, scheduling. Co-operating processes: exclusion, synchronisation, inter-process communication. Semaphores, monitors, messages. Multi-processing in Java, the thread model.
4. Resource Management - 5 Lectures
Different types of resources. Deadlock prevention and avoidance. Memory management. Segmentation, paging. Discard algorithms, thrashing. Associative stores.
5. Input-Output - 3 Lectures
Input-output services. Filing systems, disc space management, Distributed systems.
6. Security - 1 Lecture
Discretionary and mandatory security. User authentication. Encryption. System management.
Reading Lists
Books
** Recommended Text
H.M. Deitel (1990) An Introduction to Operating Systems [Students will probably wish to choose one of Deitel or Siberschatz]
2nd. Addison Wesley
Abraham Silberschatz and Peter B. Galvin (1994) Operating system concepts [Students will probably wish to choose one of Deitel or Siberschatz]
4th. Addison-Wesley, Reading, Mass
Daniel Gilly et.al. (1992) UNIX in a Nutshell: System V Edition
2nd. O'Reilly ISBN 1-56592-001-5
** Consult For Futher Information
Andrew S. Tanenbaum and Albert S Woodhull (Dec 1996) Operating Systems: Design and implementation
2nd. Prentice hall ISBN 0-13-638677-6
Jeff Magee and Jeff Kramer Concurrency: State Models and Java Programs
John Wiley and Sons 0-471-98710-7
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5