252-0061-00L Systems Programming and Computer Architecture
Semester | Autumn Semester 2016 |
Lecturers | T. Roscoe |
Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
Language of instruction | English |
Abstract | Introduction to computer architecture and system programming: Instruction sets, storage hiearchies, runtime structures with an emphasis on computers as engines for the execution of compiled programs. Interaction between system software and the hardware. Problems that arise from the final respresentation, performance measurement and tuning, and program portability issues are covered. |
Objective | The objective is to allow students to understand all aspects of the execution of compiled (C) programs on modern architectures -- the instruction set, the storage resources (registers, stack, memory), input/output, the impact of compiler decisions, and the interaction between the operating system and hardware. Two main themes are correctness issues (esp. those that arise from the finite representation of data) and performance issues (incl. measurement and tuning issues). The interface to the operating system is discussed to prepare for subsequent classes on more advanced systems topics. The two key goals are: 1) To equip students with a thorough understanding of how to write correct programs that run fast on modern computer, and 2) How to write correct and efficient low-level systems code. This course does not cover how to design or build a processor or computer. |
Content | This course provides an overview of "computers" as a platform for the execution of (compiled) computer programs. This course provides a programmer's view of how computer systems execute programs, store information, and communicate. The course introduces the major computer architecture structures that have direct influence on the execution of programs (processors with registers, caches, other levels of the memory hierarchy, supervisor/kernel mode, and I/O structures) and covers implementation and representation issues only to the extend that they are necessary to understand the structure and operation of a computer system. The course attempts to expose students to the practical issues that affect performance, portability, security, robustness, and extensibility. This course provides a foundation for subsequent courses on operating systems, networks, compilers and many other courses that require an understanding of the system-level issues. Topics covered include: machine-level code and its generation by optimizing compilers, address translation, input and output, trap/event handlers, performance evaluation and optimization (with a focus on the practical aspects of data collection and analysis). |
Literature | The course is based in part on "Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective" (2nd Edition) by R. Bryant and D. O'Hallaron, with some additional material. |
Prerequisites / Notice | 252-0024-00L Parallel Programming, 252-0014-00L Digital Circuits |