User aspects, operating systems, computer networks, document design, databases, internet technology

A computer scientist needs to be an all-rounder, but first and foremost one expects that he or she is no slouch at dealing with all sorts of tools that are available on most modern computer systems: databases, office applications, operating systems, computer networks and internet technology. This requires an in-depth knowledge and loads of experience with the user aspects of different software components available on a computer system. This course on Computer Use allows you to acquire this essential knowledge and experience. In addition, it aims at further exploiting the acquired skills to take advantage of the interaction between software tools for automating repetitive and complex tasks.

This course discusses a broad range of user aspects related to the different software tools that are built into most modern computer systems. Theoretical concepts are immediately brought into practice, by making use of the Unix-based family of operating systems. The following topics are covered in detail:

• working interactively with the shell command line
• interactive text editing with vi
• file management
• IO-redirection en pipes
• consulting technical information
• files and filters
• shell flow-of-control
• process management
• simple shell scripts
• protections and privileges
• computer networks
• X Window System
• advanced text editing using regular expressions

• professional scientific document design using the LaTeX typesetter
• electronic document design: XML, XHTML and CSS
• information acquisition and processing using bibliographic resources

No prior knowledge or experience required. Sound interest in computer systems and familiarity with basic skills for working with a computer are recommended.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student has basic knowledge of and sufficient experience with the user aspects of different components available on modern computers, in order to seamlessly shift between different computer systems. He or she is able to deal smoothly with file systems, databases, office applications, operating systems, computer networks and internet technology. This allows him or her to write simple scripts for automating repetitive or complex tasks. The student is able to acquire and process new information by consulting bibliographic sources and technical documents. He or she can design professional documents using LaTeX, XHTML and CSS.

This course largely follows that handbook “UNIX het standaard operating system”, H.J.Thomassen, 4e uitgave, Academic Service, 2006” (€37,5; same handbook also used for the course on Scripting Languages). Additional learning material is made freely available in electronic format using the electronic learning environment Minerva. All slides shows used during lectures are made available in the Minerva environment.

A. Afzal, UNIX Unbounded: A Beginning Approach, fourth edition,Pearson Education, 2003.
L. Lamport, LaTeX: A Document Preparation System, 2nd Edition, Addison-Wesley, 1994.
C. Musciano, B. Kennedy, HTML and XHTML: The Definitive Guide, fifth edition, O’Reilly, 2002.
S.M. Sarwar, R. Koretsky, S.A. Sarwar, UNIX the textbook, second edition, Pearson Education, 2005.

Through a combination of classroom lectures and computer seminars, the student gains insight in the user aspects of modern computer systems. He or she is stimulated to practice these newly learned skills by means of a series of given exercises. Solutions to exercises and tasks are evaluated during computer seminars. Consultation with lecturer or one of his assistants by email appointment gives the possibility of additional explication on an individual basis. Interactive coaching (among students and between students and the lecturer) is encouraged by making use of the electronic learning environment Minerva.

Classroom lectures and computer seminars. Electronic learning environment Minerva is used to encourage individual contributions of the students and to disseminate background material and pointers to alternative scripting languages.

Permanent (exercises and tasks) en periodic (exams) evaluation.

During computer seminars, solutions to exercises and tasks need to be presented to the lecturer or one of his assistants. This should be performed before a series of fixed deadlines. The lecturer or one of his assistants will evaluate the theoretical and practical skills of the student by posing additional questions upon the presented solutions. Permanent evaluations make up 20% of the total score for this course, and can not be retaken during the second exam period. The examination consists of solving a series of automation problems by using a computer (teaching and learning material may be consulted). This way, the student is able to prove that he or she sufficiently masters all skills that were put forward in the final competences.