Introduction to computer systems [ LSINF1252 ]

> https://foditic.org/SINF1252_10/

Main concepts related to programming in a high-level language (e.g. FSAB1402)

• Abstraction levels in computing systems
• Architectures of processors
• Memory hierarchy
• Peripherals and peripheral interfaces
• Techniques for performance enhancement
• Machine language, assembly language and C language
• Mission and functions of operating systems
• Key concepts in operating systems
• Use of operating system functions in C programs
• C programming on computer without OS.

Students completing successfully this course will be able to

• explain the functionalities provided by the different hierarchical levels of the architecture of a computing system, from the physical machine to software components directly supporting the applications
• explain typical system architectures their components, as well at the hardware as the operating system level.
• use and configure efficiently functions and services provided by computers and operating systems
• compare various computer implementations and identify their strengthes and weaknesses
• know and understand the implications of the orders of magnitude of measurable characteristics of computing systems

• Written exam
• A test on the C language will be held after the mission 3. This test is taken into account for the final grade: one of the exam questions will be identified as being "equivalent" to the test: if the grade of the test is better than the grade for this question, it will replace it.

The course is organized into 6 successive missions of two weeks each with a learning component and an enforcement component. Each mission consists of the following steps:

• A lecture meeting at which the material of the mission is briefly introduced (about 1 hour).
• An introductory session to the work practices of the mission, immediatly following the session lecture (about 1 hour) and you will receive simple exercises to do for the second practical session of the mission.
• Students discover the course material individually during the days following the lecture. They identify the points where they are a problem: difficulty of understanding or points they desire to deepen
• These items are discussed at a group meeting in which individual teachers. The group chooses 8 questions and is organized to respond, with the help of the teacher.
• Answers are posted on the forum of the group before the end of the mission and corrected by the teacher.
• A second practical session takes place in the middle of the mission, the simple exercises offered at the introductory session are corrected and more substantial exercises are introduced.

• Levels of abstraction in computer systems
• Processor architectures
• Memory hierarchy
• The devices and their interfacing
• Techniques for Improving Performance
• Machine language, assembly language and C language
• Roles and Functions of Operating Systems
• Basic concepts of operating systems
• Using functions of an operating system in programs
• C Programming on a computer without operating system

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