UNIX system call programming
J Boutland
6 points * 4 hours per week * First/Second semester * Caulfield * Prerequisites: SFT2121 * Prohibitions: CFR3111, RDT2141, SFT3303
Introduction: the UNIX philosophy of simplicity; the broad design of the UNIX system. Basic concepts: the file; directories and pathnames; ownerships and permissions; processes; inter-process communication; system calls. The file in detail: UNIX file access primitives. The file in context: files in a multi-user environment; files with multiple names; obtaining file information; directories, file systems and special files. Directories: the implementation of a directory; programming with directories; UNIX file systems; UNIX special files. The process: creating processes; synchronising processes; process attributes; example of a command processor. Interprocess communications using the system V features: recording locking; system V IPC facilities; semaphores; message queues, shared memory. The terminal: changing terminal characteristics.
Assessment
Examinations: 40% * Assignment: 40% * Tutorial papers: 20%
Recommended texts
Havilaud K and Salauna B Unix system programming Addison-Wesley, 1988