syllabus
info
title Computer Systems
credits 4
time Tues / Thu 11:20am - 12:50pm
place Sci 217
level intermediate
faculty Jim Mahoney
repeat not for credit
prereq previous programming experience
blurb
A look at what goes on "under the hood" of a computer, in the
implementation in machine code of a C program running on
a linux computer. Sometimes called "Computer
Organization", a course like this one is a required part
of most computer science degree programs, typically taken
by sophomores after a course or two in basic programming
concepts.
Topics include the C programming language,
machine-level data representation and assembly langauge,
processor organization, system performance, memory
caching, code compilation and linking, and similar fun
stuff.
This course is likely to be offered every few
years.
textbooks
Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective, 2nd ed; Bryant and O'Hallaron
C Programming Language, 2nd ed; Kernighan and Ritchie
- the well known "K&R"
- We'll be programming in C this term - this is a great book to have.
- amazon ($38 on Aug 15 2010)