Department of Computer Science University of Pretoria

Netcentric Computer Systems COS 216

Study Guide
Version 2

Mr Ronald Klazar and Dr Pierre Rautenbach 13 May 2013

Contents
1 Overview 1.1 Description . . . 1.2 Prerequisites . . . 1.3 Related modules 1.4 Study units . . . 2 Outcomes 3 Plagiarism policy 4 Instructors 4.1 Contact details . . . . . . . . 4.1.1 Course coordinator . . 4.1.2 Lecturer . . . . . . . . 4.1.3 Assistant lecturer . . . 4.1.4 Teaching assistants . . 4.1.5 Administrative support 5 Organisation 5.1 Module website 5.2 Announcements 5.3 Lectures . . . . 5.4 Practicals . . . 5.5 Interaction with . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the Instructors

6 Study Material 6.1 Prescribed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Assessment 7.1 Assignments . . . . . . . . . . 7.2 Class Tests . . . . . . . . . . 7.3 Semester Tests . . . . . . . . 7.3.1 Semester Test Schedule 7.4 Examination . . . . . . . . . . 7.5 Absence from an Assessment . 7.6 Calculation of Marks . . . . . 7.6.1 Semester Mark . . . . 7.6.2 Final Mark . . . . . . 7.7 Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . 7.7.1 Examination Entrance 7.7.2 Result Criteria . . . . 8 Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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1
1.1

Overview
Description

This module introduces the principles of netcentric computing that can be applied to the World Wide Web and the Internet as well as to distributed applications. After completing this module, a student will have gained, as outcomes, knowledge of how to integrate various programming and web-based technologies. Particular outcomes include: gaining knowledge of the concepts of client and server-side programming that requires remote function calls, and achieving database connectivity using remote SQL calls. The supporting technologies of markup languages, like HTML, and scripting languages, like JavaScript, are also studied. In order to demonstrate practically that a student has reached these outcomes, students will be required to use, integrate, and maintain the necessary software and hardware by completing a number of smaller practical assignments whereafter integrating all of these technologies into a comprehensive and practical netcentric programming project is required.

1.2

Prerequisites

The following module is required to have been completed successfully by a student enrolling for COS216: COS110 - Program Design: Introduction

1.3

Related modules

The following module requires COS216 to have been completed successfully by a student who will be enrolling for said module: COS332 - Computer Networks

1.4

Study units

The following units provide a broad overview of the module syllabus: 1. Introduction to net-centric computing 2. Communication and networking 3. Architecture for networks and distributed systems 4. The web as an example of client-server computing 5. Building web applications 6. Hypertext and hypermedia 7. Building a simple graphical user interface 8. Database query languages 9. Multimedia data technologies 10. Wireless and mobile computing

Outcomes
Discuss the evaluation of early networks and the Internet. Explain the hierarchical, layered structure of a typical network architecture. Describe emerging technologies in the net-centric computing area and assess their current capabilities, limitations, and near-term potential. Discuss the important network standards in their historical context. Describe the responsibilities of the rst four layers of the ISO reference model. Illustrate how a packet is routed over the Internet. Install a simple network with two clients and a single server using standard host-conguration software tools such as DHCP. Explain the basic components of network systems and distinguish between LANs and WANs. Discuss the architectural issues involved in the design of a layered network protocol. Explain how architectures dier in network and distributed systems. Discuss architectural issues related to network computing and distributed multimedia. Explain the dierent roles and responsibilities of clients and servers for a range of possible applications. Select a range of tools that will ensure an ecient approach to implementing various client-server possibilities. Design and build a simple interactive web-base application (e.g., a simple web form that collects information from the client and stores it in a le on the server). Illustrate how interactive client-server web applications of medium size can be built using dierent types of Web technologies. Demonstrate how to implement a database-driven web site, explaining the relevant technologies in each tier of the architecture and the accompanying performance tradeos. Summarize the evolution of hypertext and hypermedia models from early versions up through current oerings, distinguishing their perspective capabilities and limitations. Explain basic hypertext and hypermedia concepts. Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of information presentation, transformation, and synchronization. Compare and contrast hypermedia delivery based on protocols and systems used. Design and implement web-enabled information retrieval applications using appropriate authorizing tools.

After successfully completing this module, you should be able to satisfy the following outcomes:

 Identify several fundamental principles for eective GUI design. Use a GUI toolkit to create a simple application that supports a graphical user interface. Create a relational database schema in SQL that it incorporates key, entity integrity, and referential integrity constraints. Demonstrate data denition in SQL and retrieving information from a database using the SQL SELECT statement. Evaluate a set of query processing strategies and select the optimal strategy. Create a non procedural query by lling in templates of relations to construct an example of the desired query result. For each of several media or multimedia standards, describe in non-technical language what the standard calls for, and explain how aspects of human perception might be sensitive to the limitations of that standard. Evaluate the potential of a computer system to host one of a range of possible multimedia applications, including an assessment of the requirements of multimedia systems on the underlying networking technology. Describe the characteristics of a computer system (including identication of support tools and appropriate standards) that has to host the implementation of one of a range of possible multimedia applications. Implement a multimedia application of a modest size. Describe areas of current and emerging interest in wireless and mobile computing, and assess the current capabilities, limitations, and near-term potential of each.

Plagiarism policy

This department considers plagiarism as a serious oense. Disciplinary action will be taken against student who commit plagiarism. For a formal denition of plagiarism, the student is referred to http://www.ais.up.ac.za/plagiarism/index.htm (From the UP Main page follow the Library quick link and then the Plagiarism link).

Instructors

The sta that present and support this module are listed below, along with their contact details.

4.1
4.1.1

Contact details
Course coordinator

Mr Ronald Klazar Oce: IT 5-39 Telephone: (012) 420 2004 Email: rklazar@cs.up.ac.za

4.1.2

Lecturer

Dr Pierre Rautenbach Email: prautenbach@cs.up.ac.za

4.1.3

Assistant lecturer

Mr Christopher Cleghorn Email: ccleghorn@cs.up.ac.za

4.1.4

Teaching assistants

Ms Samantha Bevis Email: u11086646@tuks.co.za Mr Tim Foster Email: timfoster@ajubi.com Mr Matthew Mills Email: mathu99@gmail.com Ms Nandwe Mumba Email: s10335146@tuks.co.za Mr Heindrich Paul Email: heindrich.paul@gmail.com Ms Meghan van Rooyen Email: megi.vrooyen@gmail.com

4.1.5

Administrative support

Ms Elmarie Willemse Oce: IT 4-18 Telephone: (012) 420 2504 Email: ewillemse@cs.up.ac.za

Organisation

This module shall be conducted as set out as follows.

5.1

Module website

The course website is located at http://www.cs.up.ac.za/courses/COS216.

5.2

Announcements

All announcements pertaining to the administration of the course shall be made in lectures. While every attempt will be made to replicate announcements on the course website, it is not guaranteed that every announcement will appear on the website.

5.3

Lectures

Lectures are your primary introduction to the module syllabus. While each lecture will be based on the contents of the syllabus, lecturers may add or remove material as needed. Therefore, lectures are considered to be the normative basis of the module syllabus. Please take note that lecturers are not obliged to publish either transcripts or summaries of their lectures. In other words, it is your responsibility to take adequate notes during the scheduled lectures. Attendance of lectures and tutorials is compulsory. Lectures and tutorials take place at the following times each week, unless otherwise stated by the lecturers. Lecture L1 L2 L3 T L1 L2 L3 T Language Afrikaans Afrikaans Afrikaans Afrikaans English English English English Day Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday Time 16:30-17:20 07:30-08:20 07:30-08:20 09:30-10:20 08:30-09:20 13:30-14:20 10:30-11:20 08:30-09:20 Venue IT 2-24 IT 2-24 IT 2-25 HSB 4-14 HSB 4-1 EMB 4-150 Centenary 5 Theology 1-25

5.4

Practicals

Weekly practical sessions provide an opportunity for you to work on your assignments in the universitys computer labs, which will be reserved for this purpose. Practical sessions will be supervised by Teaching Assistants and you are welcome to ask them for help and advice. Attendance of practicals is not compulsory. However, you are strongly advised to attend the practical sessions and make use of the assistants whenever you require clarication of the requirements of an assignment or the software and processes involved in completing the assignment. Practical sessions take place at the following times each week, unles otherwise stated by the lecturers. Language Bilingual Bilingual Day Tuesday Wednesday Time Venue 14:30-17:20 Blue 1, 2, and 3 11:30-14:20 Blue 3 and Red

5.5

Interaction with the Instructors

You are encouraged to discuss the subject with the lecturers during the scheduled lectures. You are also welcome to compose detailed emails to the lecturers in cases where you would like assistance with a complicated topic. Ultimately, should you wish to meet with a lecturer, you are kindly requested to make an appointment to arrange a suitable time. To request an appointment, please send an email with the subject line: COS216: Request for Appointment directly to the lecturer you would like to see and provide three dates and times at which you will be available. Only upon receiving a reply from the lecturer may you consider the appointment conrmed. 5

When attempting to contact a lecturer, please consider the following: Emails are better than phone calls as lecturers are not necessarily in their oces at all times throughout the day; Expect a turnaround of 1-2 days on emails (in other words, plan to request an appointment at least three days in advance); Ensure that your student email account is not full, otherwise messages from your lecturer will be bounced.

Study Material

Study material for this module is described below.

6.1

Prescribed

There is no prescribed text for this module, as the syllabus is too broad to be contained by a reasonable number of textbooks. As such, additional references will be provided during the semester and it will be your responsibility to obtain additional information, during your self-study hours, where required.

Assessment

The evaluation instruments and their issuance for this module are described as follows.

7.1

Assignments

There shall be ve assignments issued during the semester. The purpose of the assignments is to put into practise the principles and technologies that will be introduced during the lectures and tutorials. Each assignment will be detailed by a specication document, which will determine the criteria for the completion and evaluation of the assignment.

7.2

Class Tests

There shall be ve unannounced class tests conducted during the semester. The purpose of these tests is to evaluate your performance without strongly impacting your semester marks.

7.3

Semester Tests

Two paper-based tests will be written during the semester. These tests will assess your knowledge of the subject, as presented prior to the test. 7.3.1 Semester Test Schedule Time Venue 09:30-12:00 IT 2-23, IT 4-1, IT 4-5 17:30-19:30 IT 2-23, IT 4-1, IT 4-5

Test Date 1 16 March 2 6 May

7.4

Examination

A paper-based exam will be written at the end of the course, during the scheduled exam period. The exam will cover the whole course, as presented during the semester.

7.5

Absence from an Assessment

Should you be unable to attend a scheduled assessment or you have diculty in handing in an assignment due to special circumstances, suitable provisions may be arranged. The following table lists the only provisions that may be made and how you should apply: Instrument Class Tests Assignments Semester Tests Examination Provisions Aegrotat Tests Extensions Aegrotat Tests Aegrotat Exam Application Medical Certicate Medical Certicate Medical Certicate Medical Certicate Recipient Coordinator Coordinator Coordinator Student Admin.

All medical certicates must be submitted within three (3) days of the assessment. Unless otherwise indicated, provisions are made at the discretion of the Coordinator.

7.6
7.6.1

Calculation of Marks
Semester Mark

The semester mark will consist of the following: Class Tests 20% Assignments 40% Semester Tests 40% 7.6.2 Final Mark

The nal mark will consist of the following: Semester Mark 60% Examination Mark 40%

7.7

Conditions

You must gain Examination Entrance in order to write the exam. If you fail to obtain Examination Entrance, you will fail the course. In addition to gaining Examination Entrance, you will need to meet specic Result Criteria in order to pass the course. 7.7.1 Examination Entrance

In order to obtain Examination Entrance you must meet all of the following criteria: Semester Mark Achieved a result of at least 40% Class Tests Completed 4 out of 5 Assignments Completed 5 out of 5 Semester Tests Completed 2 out of 2 7.7.2 Result Criteria

In order to pass the course you must achieve Examination Entrance as well as both of the following minimum results:

Examination Final Mark

40% 50%

Schedule

The following table lists the schedule of lectures, tutorials and assignments with respect to the topics that will be presented during the semester: Week Date 1 11-02 2 18-02 3 25-02 4 04-03 5 11-03 6 18-03 7 01-04 8 08-04 9 15-04 10 22-04 11 29-04 12 06-05 13 13-05 14 20-05 15 27-05 Topic Introduction, History, MVC REST, HTML, XML HTML, CSS JavaScript, JSON Engineering Test Week (No Lectures) JQuery (March Recess) JQuery JQuery, AJAX Server-side Website Programming Networking Databases Engineering Test Week (No Lectures) Java GUI JEE Exam Preparation