06-17423
Systems Programming in C/C++

Level 3/H

Dr E Ritter

10 credits in Sem2

The School of Computer Science Module Description is a strict subset of this Syllabus Page. (The University module description has not yet been checked against the School's.)

Changes and Updates

Most recent update: 22 December 2005.

Outline

This module presents system programming in C/C++ together with the necessary tools like Makefiles and package managers. The module also describes the structure of an operating system kernel and explains how to modify it.

Aims

The aims of this module are to:

Introduce C/C++ to the students.
Explain explicit pointers in C/C++.
Describe mechanisms for packaging software for distribution.
Explain the peculiarities of kernel programming.
Describe an operating system kernel.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, the student should be able to:		Assessed by:
1	Write programs in C/C++.	Continuous Assessment, Examination
2	Write programs with explicit pointer manipulation.	Continuous Assessment, Examination
3	Package software for distribution.	Continuous Assessment, Examination
4	Write low level systems programs.	Continuous Assessment, Examination

Restrictions, Prerequisites and Corequisites

Restrictions:

None

Prerequisites:

06-08163 Software Workshop Java (or equivalent)

Co-requisites:

None

Teaching

Teaching methods:

2 hrs lectures plus lab sessions per week

Contact hours:

Assessment

1.5 hr examination (80%), continuous assessment (20%). Resit (where allowed) by examination only.

Recommended Books

Title	Author(s)	Publisher, Date	Comments
The C Programming Language	Brian W. Kernighan, Dennis M. Ritchie	Prentice Hall, 1998	By far the best book on C. Written by its inventors.
Object-Oriented Programming in C++: A Tutorial for Newcomers	N. Josuttis	J. Wiley and sons, 2002	An Introduction into C++
Understanding the Linux Kernel	D. P. Bovet	O' Reilly, 2000	A Description of the Linux Kernel

Detailed Syllabus

How to write and execute programs.

How to do debugging and testing.

Basic I/O. Makefiles. Coding conventions (including Macros)

Pointers: Arrays, argument passing, lists, records.

Bigger programs (include-files, externals)

Packaging programs for distribution.

Objects in C++.

Linux kernel programming. System Calls, Modules, Networking Layer.

Constructing a bigger example: firewall extension.

Relevant Links

Module Material

Page maintained by:	Dr P Coxhead
Content last updated:	22 December 2005
Source:	/resources/modules/2005/xml/17423.xml

06-17423Systems Programming in C/C++