Computer Science

General objectives: The course focuses on operating systems concepts, structure, and mechanisms. Fundamental characteristics, present since the most traditional systems, will be treated, but also peculiarities of modern systems that arise due to the recurring evolution of technology. Specific objectives: The course will cover the characteristics and concepts of modern operating systems, with particular reference to Unix and Linux systems. We will start with a description of the evolution of operating systems over time and continue with fundamental concepts such as processes, stalling and related prevention mechanisms, process concurrency, memory management, processor and I/O, files system, and security. Knowledge and understanding: To understand in depth how operating systems support the execution of user programs and manage the hardware peripherals of a computer. Fundamental methods and techniques for in-memory process representation and efficient handling of multiprogramming—multiple processes running concurrently on a resource-constrained system. Apply knowledge and understanding: Design user and system-level programs efficiently and securely. Critical and judgment skills: To predict the use of resources required by a program, to discover a possible deadlock situation in a multi-programmed system. to ensure mutual exclusion between processes and secure access to memory areas or sensitive resources. Communication skills: Knowing how to clearly and precisely communicate the characteristics of operating systems and their software/hardware support mechanisms. Learning ability: Know how to exploit the knowledge acquired in the design of systems and user programs in the next module of the course. Use this knowledge in learning properties of more complex systems such as distributed and cloud systems.