CSC 260 - Command-line Interfaces

Class information:

Class hours: 10:00 AM – 11:15 PM (Tue/Thu) Location: ITC 223

Instructor: Prof. Benz Tran, Ph.D. Email: bq.tran@assumption.edu

Office: 125 Founders Hall Phone: 508-797-7000, Ext.7501

Office hours: 11:30 AM–12:30 PM (Mon/Wed); 4:30 PM–5:30 PM (Mon/Tue/Wed/Thu)

Course description:

From the catalog: this course introduces a command language computing environment, the bash shell interface to the Linux operating system. Topics covered include: an exploration of the bash shells, hierarchical file structure, file permissions, multiuser systems, utilities, shell scripts, I/O redirection, pipes, and programming in C++. 

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to Knowledge of principles of UNIX and Linux like operating systems, installing native and virtual Linux OS on a computer, virtualization, containerization, usage of command line, shell variables, shell scripting, user management and file security, etc.  Following are objectives in details:

Almost all of this course will be teaching tools available on the command line provided by a Unix operating system (e.g., MacOS or Linux). Topics in this class include:

• Using a Unix command-line shell

• Unix file system; file and directory management; processes and process management permissions, groups, and users

• Pipes and redirection

• Connecting to remote servers and using multi-user shared Unix systems

• Regular expressions and related tools

• String and text processing basics: filtering, substituting, etc.

• Version control basics

• Bash shell scripting

While this list of topics is long, it barely scratches the surface of what is available out there! This course does not focus on mastery of these topics. Mastery requires lots of time and repeated practice. We aim to provide a survey of these concepts and tools to enable students to teach themselves new concepts through your own reading, searching, or work outside of this course. Being a self-directed learner is an important skill that you are developing as a university student. Our ultimate goal is to give you a foundational understanding of these concepts so that you can direct your learning for the required tools in the future.

Course requirements:

Through this course, students will be asked to work on a several assignments to reinforce concepts introduced in class and a project to develop good technical writing and programming skills. If you have zero computing experience but do the following:

• Immerse yourself in the material.

  • This means not taking the lecture notes as the end-all be-all on the material. There are numerous “free” materials online than can supplement your learning experience.

  • Experiment. If you finish a lab early, experiment with other commands that are not directly required in the assignment.

• Follow directions. The assignments are very particular, ensure that what you submit as a deliverable is actually what the assignment calls for.

Textbooks:

There is no required textbook, but I recommend the following:

1. Ubuntu Linux Unleashed 2021 Edition
   ISBN-13: 978-0-13-677885-1
   ISBN-10: 0-13-677885-2

2. Linux Fundamentals, 2015, Paul Cobbaut

Course policies:

Attencdance: Students are expected to attend and actively participate in every class, and I will make every effort to ensure that class attendance is worthwhile. Please note that, based on the instructor’s experience, a lack of class attendance is strongly correlated with poor grades.

I will use  iClicker to record your attendance in every class. You will be able to mark yourself present using your laptop/computer or smartphone within the first 15 minutes of the class. If you forget to check-in while physically attending the class, please inform me verbally during the class; otherwise, I will rely on the  iClicker logs.

Missed exams due to unexcused absence will result in a score of zero. Makeup exams will be allowed only with the pre-approval of the instructor or for acceptable, documented reasons. Acceptable reasons for makeup exams include severe illness, family emergencies, or other unavoidable events, such as dangerous weather conditions and car accidents. The format of makeup exams may differ from the format of the original exam.

Late submission: Homework/assignments are due on the date indicated in the assignment, there will be zero tolerance policy for late assignments. Exceptions will be made only in extreme circumstances.

Computing Platform: You are expected to use the linux-based computer. If you prefer to use MS Windows machines, remember the following quote "I will grade your assignments on a linux machine." 

Academic honesty:  Academic dishonesty undermines the educational mission of the course and reflects disrespect to your classmates and to your instructor. Therefore, you are expected to practice the highest possible standards of academic integrity. The minimum penalty for cheating is a -50% score on the assignment. Additional, more severe penalties may be applied for repeated or egregious violations. This policy includes using unauthorized materials, information, notes, study aides or other devices in any academic exercises. Details on the University cheating policy can be found in the Section II in the "Academic Integerity Policy and Process'' at this URL. 

In the absence of instructions to the contrary, it is permissible to consult Internet resources to complete the homework assignments and projects in this class, provided that you give adequate citations of every resource you consult. However, it is not permissible to copy code or anything else directly from the web. Representing the work of others as your own is never permissible. When in doubt, ask the instructor first. 

Class technology:

Brightspace: 

Like many other courses at the AU, we are mainly using Brightspace as a gradebook, a place to find lecture slides, assignments, and all important announcements. All registered students have access to the online BrightSpace class site. BrightSpace can be accessed from the school portal. 
Please make sure to check frequently the Announcements on BrightSpace as well as the school email. 

iClicker: We rely on iClicker to record your attendance in class. You will be able to mark yourself present, using your laptop or smartphone, during the first 15 minutes of the class. In addition, I will take paper-based attendance on three unannounced days. If I find any discrepancy in your attendance record on those days (ie, you were marked present on iClicker but absent on paper, you will receive a 0 for your overall attendance score.

Github: We will eventually use the https://github.com service when we are discussing how to use git. Links to specific repositories can be found on the calendar for the relevant days and assignments.

GradeScope: We use Gradescope as the tool to turn in assignment works. There will be an autograder implemented by the instructor to assess your solutions. In order to pass the testcase, your must submit required script files; your script must produce outputs that are identical to what the autograder wanted. 

You are not limited in submissions as long at you did it before the deadline. The last submission will be counted as your final answer. 

Evaluation

Grading scheme:

• Attendance:                  10% (every class)

• Assignments:                35% (8 assigments, each worth 5%)

• Exam 1:                        15% (February 15, 2024)

• Exam 2:                        15% (March 21, 2024)

• Final exam:                   20% (TBD)

Grading scale:

• A = 94 - 100;  A- = 90 - 93;   B+ = 85 - 89;    B = 80 - 84;   B- = 77-79

• C+ = 73-76;    C = 70 - 72;    C- = 65 - 70);  D+ = 60 - 64;  D = 55 - 59;   D- = 50 - 54

• F = 0-49

Accommodation Policy

Assumption University is committed to ensure full participation of all students in theirs programs. If you have a documented disibility (or think you may have a disability), and, as a result, need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the classes, to complete course requirements, or even benefits from the university services, you are encouraged to contact to the Director of Student Accessibility Services, Julie LeBlanc at jm.leblanc@assumption.edu as soon as possible.

Academic Support Center (ASC)

The ASC provides one-one service to assist students at Assumption University with strategies for academic success. Students will have a choice of meeting a tutor in the ASC on-ground (2nd floor d’Alzon Library) or via Zoom.  

You can make appointments for tutoring at https://asctutoring.assumption.edu or stop by at the Academic Support Center, 2nd floor d’Alzon Library, or calling the ASC at 508-767-7071 during on-ground operational hours (Mon-Thurs 8:30 am-10:00 pm; Fri. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Sun. 6:00 pm-10:00 pm). For assistance with general study skills or academic planning, please contact either Amy Hurley, Associate Director for Student Success ahurley@assumption.edu or  Allen Bruehl, ASC Director abruehl@assumption.edu

Important dates

• January 23, HW1 is released -- Due on January 30 

• January 30, HW2 is released -- Due on February 13 

• February 13, HW3 is released -- Due on February 21

• February 22, HW4 is released -- Due on March 10

• March 12, HW5 is released -- Due on March 19

• March 21, HW6 is released -- Due on April 3

• April 4, HW7 is released -- Due on April 10

• April 11, HW8 is released -- Due on April 20

• April 29 - May 3 -- Final exam (TBD) !