This unit provides an introduction to the design and the implementation of modern general purpose operating systems. Centered on the concept of resource sharing, the unit explains how an operating system manages the hardware resources and software applications of a computer system. The unit covers the essential principles and theories of modern operating systems: processes, threads, mutual exclusion, scheduling, virtual memory systems, I/O and file systems, network, and security. The unit also teaches basic system administration skills for commonly used operating systems. In addition, through the teaching, the unit promotes and strengthens important generic skills, such as communication, analysis and inquiry, problem solving, independent and group working, and professionalism and social responsibility.
This unit may be cotaught with 8935 Systems Software G.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Describe the structures and implementation of modern operating systems by using the concepts of processes, threads, mutual exclusion, scheduling, virtual memory systems, I/O and file systems, network, and security;
2. Explain the role of an operating system plays in managing the hardware resources and software applications of a computer system;
3. Analyse and evaluate the factors which impact on the performance of a computer system;
4. Apply mutual exclusion theory and principles in concurrent programming;
5. Undertake basic system administration tasks for commonly used operating systems; and
6. Further strengthen important generic skills, such as communication, analysis and inquiry, problem solving, independent and group working, and professionalism and social responsibility.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development

Prerequisites

7170 Software Technology 2

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

8935 Systems Software G.

Equivalent units

7171 System Software

Assumed knowledge

None.