Lecture 01

CS 206 - Operating Systems

Syed Hammad Ahmed

What is an Operating System?
Four Components of a Computer System
 What is an Operating System?
• “An operating system is similar to a
government”
– No useful function of its own
– Provides an environment for the programs which
do useful work
 What is an Operating System?
• Coordinator and Traffic Cop:
– Manages all resources
– Settles conflicting requests for resources
– Prevent errors and improper use of the computer
• Facilitator:
– Provides facilities that everyone needs
– Standard Libraries, Windowing systems
– Make application programming easier, faster, less error-prone
• Some features reflect both tasks:
– E.g. File system is needed by everyone (Facilitator)
– But File system must be Protected (Traffic Cop)
 So what “really” is an Operating System?

• Most Likely:
– Memory Management
– I/O Management
– CPU Scheduling
– Communications? (Does Email belong in OS?)
– Multitasking/multiprogramming?
• What about?
– File System?
– Multimedia Support?
– User Interface?
– Internet Browser?
 Definition of an Operating System
• No universally accepted definition
• “Everything a vendor ships when you order an
operating system”
– Not a very precise definition yet!
– http://news.cnet.com/2100-1001-820227.html
• “The one program running at all times on the
computer” is the kernel.
– Everything else is either a system program (ships with
the operating system) or an application program
 What if we didn’t have an Operating System?

• Source Code⇒Compiler⇒Object Code⇒Hardware

• How do you get object code onto the hardware?
• How do you print out the answer?
• Once upon a time, had to Toggle in program in binary and
read out answer from LED’s!

Altair 8080
 Summary
• Operating systems coordinate resources and protect
users from each other
• Operating systems simplify application
development by providing standard services
• In a nutshell:
– Process Management
– Memory Management
– I/O Management
– Storage Management
– Protection and Security
Course Administrivia
 Prerequisites
• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Computer Organization and Assembly
Language
• C/C++ Programming
Text Book
 Tentative Course Plan
• Introduction to Operating Systems
• Operating System Structure
• Processes
• CPU Scheduling
• Memory Management
MidTerm 1
• Virtual Memory
• Threads
• Process Synchronization
• Deadlocks
MidTerm 2

• File System Interface and Implementation

• Protection and Security
Project
Final Exam
 Policies
• Quizzes
– Most quizzes will be unannounced
– At least ONE every TWO weeks
– There might be announced quizzes as well
– ~ 8 quizzes; lowest 2 will be dropped
• Cheating
– No copying is allowed for assignments. Discussions are
encouraged; however, you must submit your own work
– Violators will face mark reduction (-100 policy) and/or
reported to Disciplinary Committee
– Same goes for all other instruments
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 Policies
• Submission policy
– Submissions are due at the day and time specified on the
assignments
– Late submissions are not acceptable
• However, you have 2 Late Days per assignment
• 10% deduction per day
• Not acceptable on the 3rd day
• Classroom behavior
– Be interactive !
– Try not to sleep :P
– Speak only
• During discussions initiated by me
• When you need to ask a question
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 Policies
• Attendance policy
– 100% is mandatory
• ~ 8 lectures
• Includes medical, event participation, etc.

– Be punctual
• 6th min. = late
• 11th min = absent

– Contact me immediately if you’re missing classes

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 Policies
• Lab Sessions
– 3hrs + Tutorials
– Mandatory
– Graded
– Submissions at the end

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 Grading Scheme
Instruments Marks

Final Exam 50

Midterm Exams (2) 25

Assignments + Project 15

Quizzes 6

Labs 4
 Course Web Site
• For announcements, lecture handouts,
assignments, quiz solutions, web resources, etc.

• https://sites.google.com/a/nu.edu.pk/os-spring-2011/

• It’s your responsibility to visit regularly!

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 Other Stuff
• How to contact me?
– Office hours: To be posted on the course website
– Location: Room #04
– E-mail: syed.ahmed@nu.edu.pk
– By appointment: outside office hours e-mail me for an
appointment before coming
• Philosophy
– Knowledge cannot be taught; it is learned !
– We won’t teach you, we’ll just guide you !
– I don’t believe in strict grading. But… there has to be a
way of rewarding performance.
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My Plans for you this semester
Tip of the Day

It’s all about U,

Not the Teacher