Overview

This course introduces the key principles underlying modern computer operating systems. The first part of the course (about 30%) will cover processes, threads, and CPU scheduling. The second part (about 20%) will discuss issues related to concurrency, synchronization, and deadlock handling. The third part of the course (about 25%) will focus on memory, memory management, and virtual memory systems. The final part of the course (about 25%) will discuss file, I/O, and storage systems.

Throughout the course, the Linux operating system will be used as the primary example to illustrate the principles presented. Where appropriate, the Windows operating system will also be used for examples. User Mode Linux (UML) will be used as the laboratory environment for the four programming assignments in the course.

See the official CPSC 457 calendar entry for course description and information on pre-requisites.

CPSC 457 lectures take place MWF at 12 noon in ICT 121. The first lecture is Monday, September 8.

Announcements

• December 12, 2008: The final exam and sample solution. The class average was 75%.
• December 10, 2008: Final exam at noon in ICT 121. Good luck!
• December 8, 2008: Optional final exam review session at noon in ICT 121.
• December 1, 2008: The will be no class on Friday December 5, since Professor Williamson will be away in Toronto for a TELUS Mobility project meeting. The final lecture (course wrapup and review) is rescheduled to Monday December 8 at 12 noon in ICT 121, for those students who can make it.
• November 28, 2008: Here is a sample final exam for CPSC 457. The real exam is December 10 at noon in ICT 121.
• November 27, 2008: Some updated tips on Assignment 4.
• November 22, 2008: Here are some Assignment 4 tips.
• November 11, 2008: Here are some Assignment 3 tips.
• November 11, 2008: A preliminary version of Assignment 4 is available now. It is due on Tuesday, December 2 at 11:59pm.
• November 10, 2008: No lecture today: U of C Reading Days and Convocation.
• November 5, 2008: CPSC 457 final exam is December 10 at noon in ICT 121.
• November 3, 2008: A sample solution for the midterm exam is online now. The class average on the midterm was 74%.
• October 24, 2008: The in-class midterm exam is on Wednesday, October 29.
• October 23, 2008: A reminder that Assignment 2 is due tonight. Also, a preliminary version of Assignment 3 is available now.
• October 20, 2008: Updated info on submission requirements for Assignment 2.
• October 19, 2008: Updated tips for Assignment 2.
• October 13, 2008: As promised, here is a sample midterm exam for CPSC 457.
• October 12, 2008: Here are some starter tips for Assignment 2.
• October 6, 2008: Class as usual today, but no office hours since Professor Williamson is busy at the ACM HotNets 2008 workshop.
• October 3, 2008: In Friday's class, we chose the date for the midterm exam: Wednesday, October 29.
• October 2, 2008: Assignment 1 is due tonight by midnight. Please use submit to get it to your TA on time. In case of problems, direct email to your TA is okay, with a cc to your instructor.
• September 28, 2008: The first draft of Assignment 2 is now available.
• September 14, 2008: The first draft of Assignment 1 is now available.
• September 1, 2008: Professor Williamson will be away on September 8-10, 2008 to fulfill his duties as Program Co-Chair for the IEEE/ACM MASCOTS 2008 conference in Baltimore, MD, USA. In his absence, the first two CPSC 457 lectures will be covered by the incomparable Craig Schock.