| Other Information: |
Course Objective
The objective of this course is to provide non-computer
science majors with a working knowledge of operating systems. This
knowledge is crucial in effective operation and use of one’s computer system.
In order to achieve the course objectives, students will first be introduced
to the basic operating system concepts. Later, more advanced yet still
user-level concepts will be explained through the discussion of specific
operating system commands.
Basic Concepts
- Understanding the role of an operating system and its relationship
with the hardware devices. Operating system as an interface between
the user and the hardware. Operating system as a resource manager.
Operating system as a virtual machine.
- Single vs. multitasking operating systems.
- Single vs. multiuser operating systems.
User Level Concepts and Commands:
In order to efficiently and effectively operate a modern
operating system such as Window9x, the user must understand a number of other
user level concepts. These concepts will be discussed and further explained
by use of operating system commands and utilities. Below a list of
such concepts is provided:
- Memory management facilities: The relationship between RAM memory,
Swap space and multitasking.
- File management facilities: Partitioning of secondary storage
devices, formatting of secondary storage devices, basic tools for maintaining
the file system such as scanning the disk for possible errors, defragmenting
the disk to improve I/O speed, and compressing the disk to increase capacity.
Creation of files, links and directories. Basic commands for manipulation
(copying, renaming, deleting) of files and directories. Basic utilities
for finding and pattern matching of files. Basic backup strategies.
- Basic communication and networking facilities provided by modern
operating systems. Dial-up networking, telnet, ftp, ping.
- Basic WWW concepts supported by modern operating systems.
Today’s operating systems are becoming fully integrated with the Internet,
allowing for automatic incremental updates and fixes through the Internet.
In order to effectively use these features, the user must be aware of such
concepts as web servers, browsers, and protocols such as http.
- Installing internal and external hardware devices. Users
are often faced with the prospect of installing a new device into their system.
Four basic device categories will be discussed: Internal PCI or ISA devices,
Serial or Parallel port devices, PCMCIA devices and USB devices. The
student is made aware of these standards, and general process of installation
is discussed.
- Social and Ethical Issues. Learning to use a computer is
similar to learning to use a power tool. Thus the students must be
aware of the social and ethical issues governing the use and misuse of such
tools. General discussion of privacy, security, encryption, commerce,
software piracy, copyright, licensing and other such issues will be discussed.
|
