Computer systems
E McPherson
6 points * 4 hours per week * Second semester * Peninsula * Prohibitions: CFR1140, CFR1202, COT1140, CSC2020, GAS1814, GAS1831, RDT2141
Functional and conceptual components of a computer. Peripheral devices such as serial, parallel and interfaces. Registers and their function. The control unit. The fetch-execute cycle. Characterisation of a CPU. Memory classification, technology and function. Addressing memory and the use of the address register. The physical characteristics of storage devices. Backup and archival media and techniques of use. Caching. Basic file concepts of file organisation and access. Selection of the appropriate file organisation and type. Purpose and basic functions of an operating system. The concept of a virtual machine. Operating system characteristics and concurrency. Virtual memory using paging and segmentation. File management and functions of a file management system. Architectures for file management. Security and access controls. The data communications model and transmission media.
Assessment
Examination (2 hours): 60% * Practical work: 40%
Prescribed texts
Anderson A and Poole M Thesis and assignment writing 2nd edn, Wiley, 1994
Silberschatz A and Galvin P Operating system concepts, 4th edn, Addison-Wesley, 1994
Stamper D A Business data communications, 3rd edn, Benjamin-Cummings, 1992
Recommended texts
Brookshear J G Computer science - an overview 3rd edn, Benjamin-Cummings, 1991
Capron H L Computers: Tools for an information age 2nd edn, Benjamin-Cummings, 1990
Chandor A and others The Penguin dictionary of computing 3rd edn, Penguin, 1985
Lister A M and Eager R D Fundamentals of operating systems 5th edn, Macmillan, 1994
Loomis M Data management and file structures 2nd edn, Prentice-Hall, 1989
Matloff N IBM Microcomputer architecture and assembly language: A look under the hood Prentice-Hall, 1992
Norton P Inside the IBM PC and PS/2, 4th edn, Brady, 1991
Parker C S Understanding computers and information processing: Today and tomorrow, 4th edn, Dryden, 1992