Changes

<!-- {{Admon/caution|SPO600 will NOT be offered in Winter 2019|Due to the relocation of the Centre for Development of Open Technology (CDOT) to Newnham campus as part of the [http://www.senecacollege.ca/2020/ Seneca 2020] initiative, this course will not be offered in the Winter 2019 or Summer 2019 semesters. The information provided below may be useful if you are considering taking this course in Fall 2019.}} --> Here is some background information you may find useful:[[File:Spo600-wordcloud.png|right|500px]] == In a Nutshell == '''If you are a System/Network Adminsitration (CTY) or Software Development (CPA/CPD) student and...'''* ...are intrigued by the inner workings of computers* ...want to understand how computer software ''really'' works* ...want to find out why most of the things programmers believe about the software they write is false '''And you...'''* ...are not afraid to go deep* ...are interested in next-generation computer technology* ...want to work with complex tools and software used in the real world* ...want to collaborate with global open source communities* ...want the highest performance out of your systems '''Then this might just be the Professional Option course for you!'''

This course is about making existing software work on a new type of computer (porting) and making software work as efficiently as possible (optimization). These topics lead into an investigation of computer architecture (the design of the hardware), how computer programs work at their lowest levels (assembly language / machine language) and how compilers convert high-level code into machine code, including optimizations that they perform.

Specifically, you will:* program in assembly language on at least two architectures* understand how the compiler is (significantly!) rewriting your code* dig into some large open-source software code bases* test the performance impact of code and compilation changes* collaborate with open source communities globally This is a project-oriented course, and each semester is different. In Fall 2015 2019 there will be a primary focus on optimization.

This course is open to both '''CNS/CTY''' (system and network administration) and '''CPA/CPD''' (software development) students. Each group brings unique but overlapping skills: CTY students have a strong understanding of operating systems and administrative procedures, and CPA students have a strong understanding of programming. This course provides a range of project opportunities requiring different combinations of skills from each program of study. == What are the course prerequisites, and why? == IPC144 (Introduction to Programming in C) is a prerequisite for this course - you need to have a solid, basic understanding of C to participate effectively. You can select a project that fits your particular combination of other system administration and/or software development skills (system installation, Bash or Python scripting, programming in various languages, software packaging, network testing, and so forth). In addition, you'll need skills in scripting (for task automation) or in object oriented programming (for program analysis and optimization), and therefore one of these courses is required as a prerequisite: OPS435, OOP344, or OOP345.

No! - It's a challenging course. However, it covers material which is not covered elsewhere in the program, and if you like to understand computer technology in detail and how hardware and software interact, you may really enjoy this course. The knowledge and skills covered in this course are of practical value to both programmers and system administrators.

I've been teaching in the [http://ict.senecacollege.ca|School of ICT] at Seneca since 2001 and am now also an [http://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Professors-Professeurs/RPP-PP/IRCC-CRIC_eng.asp Industrial Research Chair] (IRCC) in [[Open Source Technology for Emerging Platforms]] in [[CDOT]] -- which means that I spend most the majority of my time doing applied research on open source software and next-generation computer technology. == How is this course connected to CDOT? == The [http://cdot.senecacollege.ca Centre for Development of Open Technology] (CDOT) is a technology centre focused on Open Source. This course is associated with the IRCC's applied research program, so participants will have access to some research resources (such as computers in the [[Enterprise Hyperscale Lab]]). In addition, participation in this course may help prepare students for [[CDOTJob Opportunities]].