The course aims at introducing the basic elements of the Operating Systems architecture, describing the basic
structure of OSs and the working principles from the point of view of both the advanced user and the system programmer.
This course analyzes the operating system architecture, and its internal modules. It introduces concepts and
techniques for an effective management of the resources of a computer system.
System programming techniques are illustrated through the analysis and use of Unix system calls.
The course is taught in English.

• Skill for using system calls for the creation, synchronization and termination of processes and threads
• Knowledge of virtual memory mechanism
• Knowledge of process scheduling
• Skill to understand device drivers
• Skill to understand and implement programs based on system calls

• Knowledge of a computer system architecture: in particular structure of the CPU and memory
• Knowledge of the interrupt mechanism and basics of an Assembly language
• Knowledge of the main data type structures and algorithms
• Good programming skill in C language

1. Computer Architecture and Programming (0.45 credits):
o Recalls on programming languages
o Architecture and behavior of a processor
o Peripheral management and control
2. Operating System Structures (0.3 credits):
o Operating System Services and User Interface
o Kernel
3. Unix shell (0.3 credits):
o Bash
o Debugger
o Profiler
4. Processes and Threads (1.35 credits):
o multitasking and scheduling
o Concurrent Programming
o Threads
5. Process and Threads Synchronization (1.5 credits):
o Semaphores
o Inter-Process Communication
o System call
o Posix Threads
6. Memory Management and Virtual Memory (0.45 credits)

Laboratory activity (1.65 credits):
o Unix Shell
o Concurrent programming with processes and threads
o Introduction to Linux kernel end device drivers
The students are required to submit four homeworks, at defined deadlines. The homeworks will be evaluated.

The slides used for the course will be made available to the students, through the official page of the course on the web site.

The textbooks are the following:
• Silberschatz, Galvin, Gagne, Operating System Concepts, 8th Edition, John Wiley & Son, 2009
• J. Cooperstein, Linux Program Development, 2009
• J. Cooperstein, Writing Linux Device Drivers, 2009

The examination consists of a written test and an oral verification. Homeworks correctness and completeness
will be also considered in the final result.

The written test (duration of 120 minutes) consists of two parts:
• exercises and questions on the topics of the lectures
• the solution to a problem using threads or concurrent programming in C language.

The oral verification will be on the topics of the lectures, on the homeworks and on the verification
of the program developed at the written exam.