Syllabus for CSC421 Computer Operating Systems.
This is a course in computer operating systems. The goals of the course are,
- to present
the most common mechanisms used by operating systems to implement useful behavior, and
- to understand the trade-offs between mechanisms given available technologies
and human demands.
In addition, the student will gain experience working with "real code",
that is, the code of the linux operating system kernel, as well as developer tools for
working with code in a collaborative environment.
- Reading
- Required reading:
- Recommended reading:
- Suggested reading:
- Work:
- Quizzes: There might be quizzes on particular topics. These are released on subversion and are generally due in 2 days without lateness.
- Projects: A series projects, assigned from a Monday to the second following Monday. However, this
might vary according to pace and vacation schedule.
- Project grading: Projects are generally scored on a 0 to 5 scale, with 5 being reserved for excellent projects.
Grade depends on completeness, correctness, and presentation. Use of Subversion, Makefiles and file and folder
names as requested are a must.
- Lateness: Three days grace automatic on projects. Over that, one point off and an additional one point
for each week late, up to 4 points. No lateness for quizzes.
- No work accepted once reading days end.
- Class grading: After normalizations, 60% projects, 40% quizzes.
- There is no final exam.
- Computers:
- We will be working in various modes. I recommend strongly that
you have your own computer to work on. We will install Virtual Box and work on virtual
machines hosted by Virtual Box.
- If you do not have a computer of sufficient power to work comfortably with
Virtual Box, please we will discuss options.
- We will make extensive use of subversion, a source code control system.
You will turn in your assignments using subversion, and if you use subversion,
I and the TA can help you by examining and correcting your code, at any
time and from any location, when we are on-line.
- New media:
- Contact:
- Our graders are Tony Luo (lead grader) and Linhai Ma. Hours announced on Slack.
- If we stick to Subversion and proper Makefiles, it should be possible to
seek help whenever I am on line. Make sure you have a make target that demonstrates
the problem, and that you have committed to the repository.
