Introduction Fall 2001 Foundations of Computer Systems Prerequisite:91.166* or * Section A Instructor: Dr. David Hutchinson Office: 3082 Minto Case Bldg. Phone: ext. TBA

Introduction Fall 2001 Foundations of Computer Systems Prerequisite:91.166* or * Section B Instructor: Dr. Lynn Marshall Office: 4230 Mackenzie Eng. Bldg. Phone: ext

Introduction Objectives 1.Understand computers at machine level architecture: the structure and parts behaviour: how the parts work programming: lots of low-level details! reinforce high-level programming concepts

Introduction Objectives (contd.) High Level Language Understanding of Computer at Machine Level Computer at Machine Level

Introduction Objectives (contd.) 2.Using Computers in Applications Information processing Getting information into/out of the computer “Input/Output (I/O)” Working with information inside the computer (binary representations)

Introduction Objectives (contd.) 3.Engineering Problem Solving Experience Approach problem solving as an organized process Solve complex problems by breaking into smaller ones Design, implement, verify solutions of complex problems

Introduction Objectives (contd.) Prerequisite chain etc.

Introduction8 How to Accomplish Objectives? Study computer as a system –Model; a framework for understanding Virtual machine – based on subset of Intel –simple! –simulator – o/s friendly, easy to control! –Leads to (“real” machine – complex)

Introduction9 How to Accomplish Objectives? Data encoding Processor-level instructions – building blocks Processor addressing modes – accessing stored data Programming sequences of instructions + data Programming I/O devices Engineering problem solving –Software development cycle –Design, Implement, Verify and REPEAT

Introduction10 Course Resources Textbook: course handouts on course web page Course Web Page: –follow “Course Materials” from Systems and Computer Engineering department web page > Course Materials > –download simulator – requires Java 1.2 –course handouts – notes & lecture slides –assignments – Assignment 1 is posted!

Introduction11 Course Resources (contd.) Electronic newsgroup –carleton.courses.94201a (or.94201b) – questions and answers, info – monitored by TAs & prof – some success last year (?)

Introduction12 Assignments 6 graded assignments – worth total of 12 –GOOD2met all expectations –PASS1met critical expectations, but missed some desirable –UNS0unsatisfactory no late assignments electronic submission of Assignments 2 – 6 PLEASE FOLLOW ALL DIRECTIONS! When is “working together” a positive learning experience? (negatives?)

Introduction13 Lab:508 AA, 4324 ME open lab – no scheduled lab exercises TAs available for consulting will arrange additional consulting hours TA consulting to start week of Sept. 17 Lab Accounts:ready by Mon. Sept. 17 –Windows NT environment –accounts not needed for Assignment 1

Introduction14 Exams Midterm Exam: –Monday, Oct. 22 during class time –closed book, no calculators –room TBA –Note: If you miss the midterm for a valid reason (e.g. medical certificate), then you will write a make-up 2-hour lab test. Final Exam: –open book, calculators permitted

Introduction15 Grading Scheme You must pass the final exam to have the following scheme applied 6 assignments:12 % 1 midterm:23 % Final exam65 % But fail the final exam: grade = F

Introduction16 Some Thoughts to Ponder Why are you here? –in Engineering –in technical foundations engineering orientation What are you expected/expecting to gain? How will you optimize your investment? How will you be examined on this?