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Module Aims
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The course will be concerned with applications involving the interaction of concurrent processes: means of realising concurrency, and the use of modern interaction primitives (semaphores, message passing). The course will also give the students a basic introduction to the UNIX operating system and discuss the interaction of concurrent processes using C code developed on a UNIX system. Students will also be introduced to general features of a real-time language and basic optimisation techniques for high-level language (C).
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Learning Outcomes
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On completion of this module, the student will be able to:
- Explain the structure and operation of a modern operating system, including memory management and process scheduling. (PO1)
- Explain the application of key software optimization techniques. (PO1)
- Explain and analyse the operation of communication and synchronisation between concurrent software processes, including deadlock analysis. (PO1, PO2)
- Carry out basic interactive tasks, including file management, compilation, and process management, in a (Unix-like) command line interface environment. (PO1, PO2, PO5)
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Indicative Time Allowances
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Hours
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Lectures |
24
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Tutorials |
9
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Laboratories |
0
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Seminars |
0
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Independent Learning Time |
42
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Total |
75
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Placements |
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Assignments |
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NOTE
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Assume that a 5 credit module load represents approximately 75 hours' work, which includes all teaching, in-course assignments, laboratory work or other specialised training and an estimated private learning time associated with the module.
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Indicative Syllabus
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- Real-time Programming: Features of a real-time language.
- Real-time Optimisation: Arithmetic identities, Constant folding, Reduction in strength, Common sub-expression elimination, Loop invariant removal, Loop induction elimination, Loop unrolling, Loop jamming, Scaled numbers, Look-up tables, Imprecise computation (approximate reasoning), Memory optimisation.
- Introductory UNIX: Overview of the UNIX operating system, UNIX implementations. Basic operations and commands, File redirection, Command shells, Communicating with remote systems, Manipulating processes.
- Concurrent processes: Meaning of a process. Natural analysis of real world applications in terms of interacting concurrent processes. Difficulty of mapping this onto the VonNeumann sequential architecture. Solutions based on parallel hardware architecture and/orpseudo-parallelism by time-slicing a single sequential processor. Process interaction.
- Inter-process communication: Synchronisation and communication. Use of semaphore synchronisation and shared memory communication. Critical section implementation. Examples using C code fragments. Producer/consumer problem. Problems of unintended side-effects and deadlocks. Use of message passing for synchronisation and communication.
- Deadlock: Formal analysis. Deadlock conditions. Resource allocation graph. Handling deadlock.
- Input/output architecture: I/O device classification. I/O hardware architecture. Controller/CPUinterface.
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| Assessment | | Continuous Assessment | 15% | Examination Weight | 85% |
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Indicative Reading List
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Recommended text (Purchase optional):
- Tanenbaum, A.S., "Modern operating systems", Prentice-Hall, 1992.
Additional texts:
- Kernighan, B & Pike, R, "The UNIX programming environment", Prentice-Hall, 1984.
- Tanenbaum, A.S., "Operating systems - Design and implementation", Prentice-Hall, 1987.
- Theaker, C.J. & Brookes, G.R., "Concepts of operating systems", Macmillan, 1983.
- Ripps, D.L., "An implementation guide to real-time programming", Yourdon Press, 1990.
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Contribution to Programme Areas:
| Science & Mathematics | Discipline - specific Technology | Information and Communications Technology | Design and Development | Engineering Practice | Social and Business Context |
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Contribution to Programme Outcomes:
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Knowledge and Its Application:
The ability to derive and apply solutions from a knowledge of sciences, engineering sciences, technology and mathematics
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Problem Solving:
The ability to identify, formulate, analyse and solve engineering problems;
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Design:
The ability to design a system, component or process to meet specified needs, to design and conduct experiments and to analyse and interpret data;
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Ethical Practice:
An understanding of the need for high ethical standards in the practice of engineering, including the responsibilities of the engineering profession towards people and the environment
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Effective Work and Learning:
The ability to work effectively as an individual, in teams and in multidisciplinary settings together with the capacity to undertake lifelong learning;
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Effective Communication:
The ability to communicate effectively with the engineering community and with society at large
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Teaching & Learning Strategies/Assessment Methodology:
Teaching by face-to-face lectures and tutorials, with computer based demonstrations where feasible, and complementary online materials and discussion forum. Unix command line proficiency developed through self-directed learning and lab tutorials; assessed by supervised, “open-Internet” lab based tests (MCQ) (15%). All other outcomes assessed by written exam (85%).
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Programme or List of Programmes
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| BSSA | Study Abroad (DCU Business School) |
| BSSAO | Study Abroad (DCU Business School) |
| ECSA | Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing) |
| ECSAO | Study Abroad (Engineering & Computing) |
| HMSA | Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science) |
| HMSAO | Study Abroad (Humanities & Soc Science) |
| SHSA | Study Abroad (Science & Health) |
| SHSAO | Study Abroad (Science & Health) |
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