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Patrick Ester

Learn the inner workings of operating systems without installing anything!

This course is designed for learners who are looking to maximize performance by understanding how operating systems work at a fundamental level. The modules in this course cover segmentation, paging, swapping, and virtual memory.

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Learn the inner workings of operating systems without installing anything!

This course is designed for learners who are looking to maximize performance by understanding how operating systems work at a fundamental level. The modules in this course cover segmentation, paging, swapping, and virtual memory.

To allow for a truly hands-on, self-paced learning experience, this course is video-free. Assignments contain short explanations with images and runnable code examples with suggested edits to explore code examples further, building a deeper understanding by doing. You’ll benefit from instant feedback from a variety of assessment items along the way, gently progressing from quick understanding checks (multiple choice, fill in the blank, and un-scrambling code blocks) to slowly building features, resulting in large coding projects at the end of the course.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction
Segmentation
Paging
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Develops segmentation, paging, swapping, and virtual memory, which are core operating systems concepts
Builds a strong foundation for understanding how operating systems work at a fundamental level
Guided by Patrick Ester, who is known for his work in operating systems

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Reviews summary

Hands-on os memory management

According to learners, this course offers an exceptional deep dive into operating system memory management. Its unique video-free, hands-on approach, featuring runnable code examples and interactive exercises, is widely praised as a game-changer for active learning, providing invaluable instant feedback. Students particularly appreciate the challenging and practical coding projects that solidify understanding of concepts like segmentation, paging, swapping, and virtual memory. However, some learners, especially those preferring visual aids, found the video-free format challenging, and it may require a strong foundational CS background.
A self-paced, text-based course. Not for all learning styles.
"The video-free approach worked surprisingly well... The instant feedback was invaluable for self-paced learning."
"The course content is good, but I found the video-free format a bit challenging for certain complex topics. I personally learn better with visual explanations."
"I struggled without video lectures to guide me through the harder parts."
Projects challenge the application of knowledge effectively.
"The hands-on projects are very practical."
"The coding projects at the end really challenge you to apply what you've learned."
"I felt it provided a practical foundation for understanding performance bottlenecks."
Thoroughly covers complex OS memory management topics.
"This course is a gem for anyone looking to truly grasp how operating systems manage memory."
"The topics are covered thoroughly, and the quizzes and projects reinforce learning effectively. Very clear and concise."
"It truly helped me solidify my understanding of OS internals for my professional work."
The course excels with runnable code and interactive exercises.
"The video-free approach worked surprisingly well, as the runnable code examples and interactive exercises made understanding complex concepts like paging and virtual memory much easier."
"One of the best self-paced OS courses I've taken. The hands-on approach with runnable code examples is a game-changer. I wish more courses adopted this method."
"I appreciated the lack of videos, as I prefer reading and coding. The interactive code examples are a strong point, allowing for active learning rather than passive watching."
Benefits learners with a foundational computer science understanding.
"Some of the initial explanations were a bit brief, assuming some prior knowledge."
"Not for true beginners, you need a strong CS background."
"It's definitely for someone who is comfortable with self-directed learning and debugging."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Intro to Operating Systems 2: Memory Management with these activities:
Review the Inner Workings of an Operating System
This course covers the inner workings of operating systems, and by reviewing the inner workings of an operating system, you will have a stronger foundation for the concepts covered in this course.
Browse courses on Operating Systems
Show steps
  • Read through operating system documentation for Linux or Windows
  • Watch videos on YouTube that explain the inner workings of an operating system
Review basic programming concepts
Ensure you have a solid foundation in programming concepts like variables, loops, and functions, which are essential for understanding operating systems.
Browse courses on Programming Fundamentals
Show steps
  • Go through online tutorials or videos that cover basic programming concepts.
  • Practice writing simple programs to reinforce your understanding.
Review key operating system concepts
Refresh your knowledge of basic operating system concepts like processes, threads, and memory management to ensure a solid foundation for this course.
Browse courses on Operating Systems
Show steps
  • Revisit notes or textbooks from previous courses on operating systems.
  • Go through online tutorials or videos that provide a quick overview of OS concepts.
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Segmentation and Paging Simulations
Segmentation and paging are key concepts covered by this course, and these simulations will provide practice and reinforcement.
Browse courses on Segmentation
Show steps
  • Use an online segmentation/paging simulator like this one: https://www.cs.jhu.edu/~jason/465/recit/s20/labs/lab7/sim/
  • Implement a simple segmentation/paging algorithm in a programming language of your choice
Read a classic book on operating systems
Gain a deeper understanding of the foundational principles of operating systems by reading a classic book that provides a comprehensive overview of the field.
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Read the book carefully, taking notes and highlighting important concepts.
  • Reflect on the material and discuss it with others to enhance your understanding.
Practice tracing system calls
Reinforce your understanding of how system calls work by tracing their execution through the kernel.
Show steps
  • Find resources or tools that allow you to trace system calls.
  • Select a simple program and trace the system calls it makes.
  • Analyze the results and try to understand the purpose and flow of each system call.
Centralized Note Repository for Course Materials and Exercises
Having a centralized location for notes and exercises improves retention and aids in finding relevant information covered in the course.
Browse courses on Note-Taking
Show steps
  • Create a folder for this course in a cloud storage service such as Google Drive or Dropbox.
  • For each module in the course, create subfolder and store notes and exercises in dedicated files.
Join a study group or online forum
Engage with peers to discuss concepts, share knowledge, and work through problems collaboratively.
Browse courses on Collaboration
Show steps
  • Find or create a study group with fellow students.
  • Join online forums or discussion boards dedicated to operating systems.
  • Participate actively by asking questions, answering others, and contributing to discussions.
Explore advanced OS topics through tutorials
Expand your knowledge beyond the course material by exploring advanced operating system topics through guided tutorials.
Browse courses on Concurrency
Show steps
  • Identify specific advanced OS topics that interest you.
  • Search for reputable online tutorials or courses that cover these topics.
  • Follow the tutorials, complete exercises, and engage in discussions.
Compile resources on operating systems
Organize and expand your knowledge by compiling a collection of useful resources, such as articles, videos, and websites, on operating systems.
Browse courses on Knowledge Organization
Show steps
  • Conduct online research and identify relevant resources.
  • Categorize and organize the resources based on topics or concepts.
  • Create a central repository, such as a website or document, to store and share your compilation.
Build a simple operating system component
Solidify your understanding of operating system internals by building a simple component, such as a memory manager or scheduler.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific OS component to implement.
  • Design and plan the implementation.
  • Write and test the code.
  • Evaluate the performance and functionality of your component.

Career center

Learners who complete Intro to Operating Systems 2: Memory Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Software Engineer
A Software Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. This course may be useful for Software Engineers who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to develop more efficient and reliable software.
Computer Programmer
Computer Programmers write and test code that allows computers to perform specific tasks. This course may be useful for Computer Programmers who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to write more efficient and reliable code.
Systems Analyst
Systems Analysts analyze and design computer systems, including hardware, software, and networks. This course may be useful for Systems Analysts who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to design more efficient and reliable systems.
Network Administrator
Network Administrators manage and maintain computer networks. This course may be useful for Network Administrators who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to troubleshoot and resolve network problems.
Database Administrator
Database Administrators manage and maintain databases. This course may be useful for Database Administrators who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to improve the performance and reliability of their databases.
Computer Hardware Engineer
Computer Hardware Engineers design, develop, and test computer hardware. This course may be useful for Computer Hardware Engineers who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to develop more efficient and reliable hardware.
IT Manager
IT Managers plan, implement, and manage information technology systems. This course may be useful for IT Managers who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to make better decisions about the design and implementation of their IT systems.
Web Developer
Web Developers design and develop websites. This course may be useful for Web Developers who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to develop more efficient and reliable websites.
Mobile Developer
Mobile Developers design and develop mobile apps. This course may be useful for Mobile Developers who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to develop more efficient and reliable mobile apps.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists analyze and interpret data to extract insights and make predictions. This course may be useful for Data Scientists who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to develop more efficient and reliable data analysis algorithms.
Machine Learning Engineer
Machine Learning Engineers design and develop machine learning algorithms. This course may be useful for Machine Learning Engineers who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to develop more efficient and reliable machine learning algorithms.
Artificial Intelligence Engineer
Artificial Intelligence Engineers design and develop artificial intelligence systems. This course may be useful for Artificial Intelligence Engineers who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to develop more efficient and reliable artificial intelligence systems.
Computer Scientist
Computer Scientists research and develop new computer technologies. This course may be useful for Computer Scientists who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to develop new and innovative computer technologies.
Software Architect
Software Architects design and develop software architectures. This course may be useful for Software Architects who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to design more efficient and reliable software architectures.
DevOps Engineer
DevOps Engineers design and implement software development and deployment processes. This course may be useful for DevOps Engineers who want to learn more about how operating systems manage memory, as this knowledge can help them to design and implement more efficient and reliable software development and deployment processes.

Reading list

We've selected eight books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Intro to Operating Systems 2: Memory Management.
This textbook focuses on the core elements of operating systems and highlights fundamental concepts through a well-balanced format of theoretical explanations and hands-on lab activities.
A textbook commonly used in introductory operating systems courses, this book covers a range of topics, including memory management, with a focus on the practical aspects of operating systems.
This comprehensive textbook provides a thorough overview of operating system concepts, including memory management, and serves as a valuable reference for further exploration.
While this book covers a broader range of computer system topics, it provides a solid foundation for understanding memory management and its role within the operating system.
This textbook offers a comprehensive overview of operating systems, including chapters on memory management and virtual memory, providing a solid foundation for further study.
This textbook provides an overview of computer architecture, including chapters on memory systems, providing a foundation for understanding memory management in operating systems.

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