Module: Systems Programming

Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title	Systems Programming
Module Code	CA284 (ITS) / CSC1038 (Banner)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Computing
Module Co-ordinator	Tai Mai
Module Teachers	Denise Freir, Martin Crane
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	Not Available
Co-requisite	Not Available
Compatibles	Not Available
Incompatibles	Not Available

None

Description

This course provides a programmer's view of how computer systems execute programs, store information, and communicate. It enables students to become more effective programmers, especially in dealing with issues of performance, portability and robustness. It also serves as a foundation for courses on compilers, networks, operating systems, and computer architecture, where a deeper understanding of systems-level issues is required.

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply problem-solving tecniques to writing well-structured programs in the C programming language.
2. Recognise the relationship between programs expressed in C and in assembly code, including the implementation of expressions, control, procedures, and data structures.
3. Demonstrate ability to understand basic intention of a program through its binary representation and apply these skills to debugging programs.
4. Investigate the programmer’s interaction with the underlying system through the different APIs and abstractions.
5. Analyse the consequences of imperfect system usage, such as poor memory and CPU performance, crashes, and security vulnerabilities.
6. Apply analytical abilities to create reliable and efficient programs exercising the different components of a modern computing system.

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full-time hours per semester
Lecture	24	No Description
Laboratory	22	Practical programming session
Assignment Completion	25	Programming assignment
Independent Study	54	Students to practice skills acquired in lectures and labs and to carry out research and reading around the topic.
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Introduction to C Language Syntax
Variable Declarations. Numeric Representations. Iteration and Control Flow. Functions (including parameters and return types. Arrays.

Machine-Level Representation of Programs
A historical perspective. Program Encodings. Data Formats. Arithmetic and Logic Operations. Control Procedures. Representation of Arrays. Representation of other datastructures.

Memory Management
Memory Models. Basic Arrays Pointers (near and far ) dynamic Memory Allocation Garbage Collection.

Input and Output
Basic I/O in the Unix Operating System File I/O. Opening and closing files. Reading and writing files. Reading file metadata. Reading directory contents. Sharing files. I/O redirection.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Course Work Breakdown
In Class Test	Practical examination.	10%	Week 3
In Class Test	Practical examination	20%	Week 6
In Class Test	Practical examination	20%	Week 8
Assignment	Programming assignment	30%	Week 12
Assignment	A series of programming exercises will be provided to students at the commencement of the semester. Students must complete these over the course of the semester.	15%	n/a
In Class Test	A simple activity performed in labs, or online equivalent.	5%	Week 2

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories: Resit category 1: A resit is available for both* components of the module. Resit category 2: No resit is available for a 100% continuous assessment module. Resit category 3: No resit is available for the continuous assessment component where there is a continuous assessment and examination element.
* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a Continuous Assessment/Examination split; where the module is 100% continuous assessment, there will also be a resit of the assessment
This module is category 1

Indicative Reading List

Bryant & O’Hallaron: 2015, Computer Systems A Programmer’s Perspective, 3rd, 978-0-13-4092
Dennis Ritchie: 1988, The C Programming Language,

Other Resources

None