Program Overview

Program Overview

The program in question is SISTEMI OPERATIVI, which translates to Operating Systems. It is offered by the University of Genoa, Italy.

Course Details

• Code: Not specified
• Academic Year: 2025/2026
• CFU (University Credits): Not specified
• Course Level: 6 CFU, year 2 for INGEGNERIA INFORMATICA (Computer Engineering) and year 3 for INGEGNERIA ELETTRONICA E TECNOLOGIE DELL'INFORMAZIONE (Electronic and Information Technology Engineering)
• Scientific Disciplinary Sector: ING-INF/05
• Language: Italian, with the possibility of English upon request
• Location: Genoa
• Period: 1st Semester
• Modules: This course is part of the module BASI DI DATI E SISTEMI OPERATIVI (Database and Operating Systems Basics)
• Teaching Material: Available on AULAWEB

Presentation

The course provides an introduction to the structure and organization of modern operating systems.

Objectives and Contents

Educational Objectives

The course introduces students to the structure of operating systems, the functions of the modules they are organized into, and the algorithms and software structures used.

Detailed Educational Objectives and Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have a fundamental understanding of operating system structures. They will be able to comprehend, critically analyze, and describe the characteristics, functions, and interactions of the main components of modern operating systems. Additionally, students will learn to use the command-line interface of the Linux operating system and write simple scripts for system management automation.

Prerequisites

• Programming skills
• Familiarity with the C language
• Knowledge of computer architecture and operation

Teaching Methods

The course will include frontal lessons accompanied by problem-solving and practical exercises on computers. Students will have access to lesson slides and past exam exercises.

Program/Content

1. Introduction to operating system structures. Basic concepts, monolithic and microkernel structures.
2. Process and thread management. Process creation and management, threads, and their implementation.
3. Interprocess communication (signals, pipes, sockets, shared memory, etc.). Mutual exclusion and synchronization.
4. Deadlock and Starvation. Approaches to deadlock management: Detection, Prevention, and Avoidance.
5. Memory management. Physical and virtual memory, paginated and segmented management.
6. Uniprocessor scheduling. Long, medium, and short-term scheduling. Scheduling algorithms.
7. Input/output management. CPU-device-memory interaction, DMA architecture, disk scheduling.
8. File system. Structure and attributes of files and directories, implementation and optimization methods.
9. Access control. Models, policies, and mechanisms for access control.

Texts/Bibliography

• Slides used in lessons will be made available to students
• "Operating Systems: Internals and Design Principles" by W. Stallings, 8th edition, Pearson

Teachers and Commissions

• Teacher: Antonio Sgorbissa
• Examination Commission:
  • Fabio Roli (President)
  • Luca Demetrio (Deputy President)
  • Antonio Sgorbissa (Deputy President)

Lessons

Lesson Schedule

Not specified

Exams

Examination Method

Written exam with open-ended questions.

Assessment Method

The written test will assess:

• Understanding of the functioning and interdependence of the main functionalities offered by a modern operating system,
• Ability to critically evaluate the characteristics of various solutions to classic operating system problems,
• Ability to solve problems related to the design and use of operating systems.

Calendar of Exam Sessions

• Date: Various dates in 2026
• Time: 09:00
• Location: Genoa
• Type: Written
• Notes: Specific notes for each session are not provided

Agenda 2030

The course contributes to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically:

• Quality Education
• Gender Equality
• Decent Work and Economic Growth
• Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure