CS 204 - System Software - Spring 2002

Instructor: Dr. James Glenn
Office: Pardee 328
Office Hours: T 2:30-4:00, W 12-2, R 12:15-1:15, or by appointment
E-mail: glennj@cs.lafayette.edu
Phone: (610)330-5415

Times and Locations: Lecture TR 9:30-10:45 in Pardee 329, Lab TR 11-12:15 (section 01) or TR 1:15-2:30 (section 02), both in Pardee 320

Recommended Text: Linux Assembly Language Language Programming by B. Neveln

Other resources:

• Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective by R. Bryant and D. O'Hallaron. This book is not yet in print, but there is an electronic draft available in PDF form. It is not so important that you need to print out all 250+ pages. I will identify the more relevant sections as we go along.
• You can download an x86 Instruction Set Reference from the Intel website. Again, this is a long document so print out only what you need.
• The JVM Specification may be of some interest.
• I have a local copy of the nasm manual which can also be found on the nasm homepage. The manual includes another x86 instruction set reference.
• There is a description of g++'s name mangling scheme on the gxx website (gxx is the DOS version of g++).
• The Garbage Collection FAQ contains a summary of the issues involved in garbage collection as well as some links to other relevant material.
• Microsoft (!) has a nice description of the layout of classes, the virtual function mechanism, and thunks. Keep in mind that there are a couple of (minor) differences between the way Visual C++ lays out classes and how g++ lays out classes.
• Sun's SPARC v8 Architecture Manual is available online.
• UMass-Amherst has a POSIX threads tutorial
• Other resources may be added during the semester as we need them.

Prerequisite: CS 203 - Computer Organization

Catalog Description: This course deals with system software topics such as: run-time organization, parameter passing, interrupt processing, exception handling, device drivers, assembly language, and high-level language interface.

Topics: (Notes)

• Review
• Assembly Language (IJVM, IA-32, SPARC)
• High-level languages
• Memory management
• Linking
• Interrupt handling

Grading:

• Labs 20%
• Projects 30%
• Midterm Exam 20% (Thu, March 21)
• Final Exam 30% (Mon, May 13 1pm-3pm in Pardee 321)

Academic Honesty: Discussions of lab assignments are permitted as long as code is not involved. If a lab includes written answers then the work you submit should reflect your own understanding of the problem: if confronted in a dark alley with no help available you should be able to explain your answer without difficulty. No help from anyone other than the instructor is allowed on any other work (projects and exams). Students must follow the college's Principles of Intellectual Honesty described in the student handbook.