Computer systems
E McPherson
6 points
* 4 hours per week
* Second, summer semester
*
Peninsula
* Prohibitions: CFR1140, CFR1202, COT1140, CSC2020, GAS1814,
GAS1831, RDT2141
Objectives At the completion of this subject students should understand the concepts of data communications; be aware of the components of a typical computer system and their function; and be able to describe the features provided by a typical operating system and explain how these features facilitate program execution.
Synopsis 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
Silberschatz A and Galvin P Operating system concepts 4th edn, Addison-Wesley, 1994
Recommended texts
Gunton T Dictionary of information technology Penguin, 1993
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