Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives Students completing this subject should be able to understand in general terms, how an operating system works; write C or C++ programs which make UNIX operating system calls.
Synopsis Types of operating systems: single user, real-time, batch, multiple access. Process and programs: communication between concurrent processes, semaphores, interrupts. Memory management: memory allocation, virtual memory. Input/output: device handling, buffering, spooling. File storage management: directories, security, file organisation, opening and closing files. Resource allocation and scheduling: allocation mechanisms, deadlock, scheduler algorithms, control and accounting. Other topics: job control languages and utilities, protection, reliability and error detection, performance monitoring. Access to the university's computer systems via modem is compulsory for distance education students.
Assessment Examination (3 hours): 100%