Princeton University Computer Science Department

Computer Science 217 Introduction to Programming Systems Vivek Pai

Fall 2008

Course Summary

The purpose of this course is to provide the fundamental background necessary to understand, design and implement the components of programming systems. Examples of such components include text editors, assemblers, compilers, loaders, interpreters, and portions of operating systems. The course is divided into three major parts: machine organization and assembly language programming, program design and development, and software tools.

Administrative Information

Lectures:

TTh 10:00AM-10:50AM, Computer Science Building 104

Precepts:

Professor:

Vivek Pai : Computer Science Building 322 : 609-258-2086 : vivek@cs.princeton.edu

Office Hours: After each lecture, or by appointment

Preceptors:

Robert Dondero : Computer Science Building 206 : 609-258-2211 : rdondero@cs.princeton.edu

Office Hours: MW 2:30PM-3:20PM and MW 4:30PM-5:20PM in Computer Science Building 102 or 206, or by appointment

Wonho Kim : Computer Science Building 216 : 609-258-5389 : wonhokim@cs.princeton.edu

Office Hours: TTh 11:00AM-11:50AM in Computer Science Building 216, or by appointment

Matt Meola : Computer Science Building 415 : 609-258-1798 : mmeola@cs.princeton.edu

Office Hours: M 1:30PM-2:20PM and TTh 2:20PM-2:50PM in Computer Science Building 415, or by appointment

Thomas Mason : Computer Science Building 223 : 609-258-0254 : tmason@princeton.edu

Office Hours: T 4:30PM-5:20PM and F 2:30PM-3:20PM in Computer Science Building 223, or by appointment

Undergraduate Coordinator:

Donna O'Leary : Computer Science Building 410 : 609-258-1746 : doleary@cs.princeton.edu

Lab Teaching Assistants:

Available in the Friend Center 016 and 017 computer labs. A Lab Teaching Assistant Schedule provides details.

Prerequisites

COS 126. More specifically, you should have substantial programming experience using some high-level programming language such as Java. Prior experience with the C programming language is helpful but not essential.

Textbooks and Other Reading

The course uses these textbooks. Note that not all of them are required:

Required

• C Programming: A Modern Approach (Second Edition), K. N. King, Norton & Co. 2008. The book covers the C programming language, and advanced C programming. The first edition is not quite as good as the second edition for our purposes, but it is sufficient. If you use the first edition, then you are responsible for figuring out how reading assignments from the second edition map to the first edition.

Highly Recommended

• The Practice of Programming, Brian W. Kernighan and Rob Pike, Addison-Wesley 1999. The book covers program and programming style. Many of the lectures in the first half of the course are derived, in part, from this book.
• Computer Systems: A Programmer's Perspective, Randal E. Bryant and David R. O'Hallaron, Prentice-Hall 2003. The book describes computer systems from the point of view of a C programmer. In particular, it covers Intel architecture and assembly language, and some additional pertinent topics. The most important chapters of the book are on electronic reserve.
• Programming with GNU Software, Michael K. Loukides & Andrew Oram, O'Reilly 1997. The book covers the GNU programming environment. Specifically, it contains one chapter on each of the programming tools that we use in the course.

All of the books are available in the University bookstore, and are on reserve in the Engineering Library.

The course uses these manuals, for reference only:

1. IA32 Intel Architecture Software Developer's Manual, Volume 1: Basic Architecture
2. IA32 Intel Architecture Software Developer's Manual, Volume 2: Instruction Set Reference Manual
3. IA32 Intel Architecture Software Developer's Manual, Volume 3: System Programming Guide
4. Tool Interface Standard (TIS) Executable and Linking Format (ELF) Specification
5. Using as, the GNU Assembler

All are freely available through the Web.

Academic Regulations

The Policies regarding collaboration and plagiarism are similar to those in COS 126. Please read them.