M.I.T. DEPARTMENT OF EECS

6.033 - Computer System Engineering Handout 6 - February 16, 1999

Assignment 3: February 16 through February 23


For Lecture, Monday, February 22:

Today's lecture will be on threads. Read the section on threads from Handout 5. The optional reading for this lecture is Tanenbaum, chapter 2.

For Recitation, Tuesday, February 23:

Today you should turn in your third written assignment. Your one-page report should address the following question which is based on "The UNIX Time-Sharing System" by Ritchie and Thompson (reading #11).

The UNIX designers implemented the shell program as an ordinary user program. Similarly, the X designers implemented the X server and clients as ordinary user programs. Could the UNIX designers have moved more functionality out of the kernel? Discuss one kernel feature that could have been implemented as an ordinary user program. Be sure to point out the tradeoffs involved and whether or not you agree with the UNIX designers' choice to include that functionality in the kernel.

Remember that you can check out the 1998 6.033 web pages for examples of good one-page reading reports. Also, please apply the guidelines you learned in the special lecture offered by the Writing Program; check the 6.033 FAQ for formatting instructions. You can also incorporate feedback from the graded one-pagers for Assignment 1.

System aphorism of the week

Il semble que la perfection soit atteinte non quand il n'y a plus rien à ajouter, mais quand il n'y a plus rien à retrancher. (It seems that perfection is attained not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more to take away.) -- Antoine de Saint-Exupery, Terre des Hommes (Wind, Sand and Stars), 1939, Chapter 3 "The Tool"
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