CFR7103

Operating systems and databases

E McPherson

6 points
* 4 hours per week
* First semester
* Peninsula
* Prohibitions: CFR1125, 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 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%
* Assignments: 40%

Prescribed texts

Silberschatz A and Galvin P Operating system concepts 4th edn, Addison-Wesley, 1994

Recommended texts

Capron H L Computers: Tools for an information age 2nd edn, Benjamin Cummings, 1990
Parker C S Understanding computers and information processing: Today and tomorrow 4th edn, Dryden, 1992
Stamper D A Business data communications 3rd edn, Benjamin Cummings, 1992