study guide - version 2

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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

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Contents

1 Overview 11.1 Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.2 Prerequisites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11.3 Related modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

1.4 Study units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2 Outcomes 2

3 Plagiarism policy 3

4 Instructors 34.1 Contact details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

4.1.1 Course coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34.1.2 Lecturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44.1.3 Assistant lecturer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

4.1.4 Teaching assistants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44.1.5 Administrative support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

5 Organisation 45.1 Module website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45.2 Announcements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55.3 Lectures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55.4 Practicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55.5 Interaction with the Instructors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

6 Study Material 66.1 Prescribed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

7 Assessment 67.1 Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67.2 Class Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67.3 Semester Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

7.3.1 Semester Test Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67.4 Examination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77.5 Absence from an Assessment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77.6 Calculation of Marks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

7.6.1 Semester Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77.6.2 Final Mark . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

7.7 Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77.7.1 Examination Entrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77.7.2 Result Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

8 Schedule 8

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1 Overview

1.1 Description

This module introduces the principles of netcentric computing that can be applied to the WorldWide 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 programmingand web-based technologies. Particular outcomes include: gaining knowledge of the concepts ofclient and server-side programming that requires remote function calls, and achieving databaseconnectivity using remote SQL calls. The supporting technologies of markup languages, likeHTML, and scripting languages, like JavaScript, are also studied. In order to demonstratepractically that a student has reached these outcomes, students will be required to use, inte-grate, and maintain the necessary software and hardware by completing a number of smallerpractical assignments whereafter integrating all of these technologies into a comprehensive andpractical netcentric programming project is required.

1.2 PrerequisitesThe following module is required to have been completed successfully by a student enrollingfor COS216:

COS110 - Program Design: Introduction

1.3 Related modules

The following module requires COS216 to have been completed successfully by a student whowill 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

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2 Outcomes

After successfully completing this module, you should be able to satisfy the following 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 first 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-configuration

software tools such as DHCP.

Explain the basic components of network systems and distinguish between LANs andWANs.

Discuss the architectural issues involved in the design of a layered network protocol.

Explain how architectures differ in network and distributed systems.

Discuss architectural issues related to network computing and distributed multimedia.

Explain the different roles and responsibilities of clients and servers for a range of possible

applications.

Select a range of tools that will ensure an efficient approach to implementing variousclient-server possibilities.

Design and build a simple interactive web-base application (e.g., a simple web form thatcollects information from the client and stores it in a file on the server).

Illustrate how interactive client-server web applications of medium size can be built usingdifferent types of Web technologies.

Demonstrate how to implement a database-driven web site, explaining the relevant tech-nologies in each tier of the architecture and the accompanying performance tradeoffs.

Summarize the evolution of hypertext and hypermedia models from early versions upthrough current offerings, 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 appropriateauthorizing tools.

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4.1.2 Lecturer

Dr Pierre Rautenbach

Email: [email protected]

4.1.3 Assistant lecturer

Mr Christopher Cleghorn


4.1.4 Teaching assistants

Ms Samantha Bevis


Mr Tim FosterEmail: [email protected]

Mr Matthew Mills


Ms Nandwe Mumba


Mr Heindrich Paul


Ms Meghan van Rooyen


4.1.5 Administrative support

Ms Elmarie Willemse

Office: IT 4-18Telephone: (012) 420 2504


5 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.

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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 notguaranteed that every announcement will appear on the website.

5.3 LecturesLectures are your primary introduction to the module syllabus. While each lecture will be basedon 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 thatlecturers are not obliged to publish either transcripts or summaries of their lectures. In otherwords, 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 thefollowing times each week, unless otherwise stated by the lecturers.

Lecture Language Day Time Venue

L1 Afrikaans Monday 16:30-17:20 IT 2-24L2 Afrikaans Tuesday 07:30-08:20 IT 2-24L3 Afrikaans Wednesday 07:30-08:20 IT 2-25T Afrikaans Thursday 09:30-10:20 HSB 4-14L1 English Monday 08:30-09:20 HSB 4-1L2 English Tuesday 13:30-14:20 EMB 4-150L3 English Wednesday 10:30-11:20 Centenary 5T English Friday 08:30-09:20 Theology 1-25

5.4 Practicals

Weekly practical sessions provide an opportunity for you to work on your assignments in theuniversitys computer labs, which will be reserved for this purpose. Practical sessions will besupervised 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 attendthe practical sessions and make use of the assistants whenever you require clarification of therequirements of an assignment or the software and processes involved in completing the assign-ment. Practical sessions take place at the following times each week, unles otherwise stated bythe lecturers.

Language Day Time VenueBilingual Tuesday 14:30-17:20 Blue 1, 2, and 3Bilingual Wednesday 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 likeassistance with a complicated topic. Ultimately, should you wish to meet with a lecturer, youare 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 Appointmentdirectly to the lecturer you would like to see and provide three dates andtimes at which you will be available. Only upon receiving a reply from the lecturer may youconsider the appointment confirmed.

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When attempting to contact a lecturer, please consider the following:

Emails are better than phone calls as lecturers are not necessarily in their offices at alltimes 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.

6 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 bya reasonable number of textbooks. As such, additional references will be provided duringthe semester and it will be your responsibility to obtain additional information, during yourself-study hours, where required.

7 Assessment

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

7.1 AssignmentsThere shall be five assignments issued during the semester. The purpose of the assignments is toput into practise the principles and technologies that will be introduced during the lectures andtutorials. Each assignment will be detailed by a specification document, which will determinethe criteria for the completion and evaluation of the assignment.

7.2 Class Tests

There shall be five unannounced class tests conducted during the semester. The purpose ofthese 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 knowl-edge of the subject, as presented prior to the test.

7.3.1 Semester Test Schedule

Test Date Time Venue1 16 March 09:30-12:00 IT 2-23, IT 4-1, IT 4-5

2 6 May 17:30-19:30 IT 2-23, IT 4-1, IT 4-5

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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 difficulty in handing in anassignment due to special circumstances, suitable provisions may be arranged. The followingtable lists the only provisions that may be made and how you should apply:

Instrument Provisions Application RecipientClass Tests Aegrotat Tests Medical Certificate CoordinatorAssignments Extensions Medical Certificate CoordinatorSemester Tests Aegrotat Tests Medical Certificate CoordinatorExamination Aegrotat Exam Medical Certificate Student Admin.

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

7.6 Calculation of Marks

7.6.1 Semester Mark

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

7.6.2 Final Mark

The final 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 obtainExamination Entrance, you will fail the course. In addition to gaining Examination Entrance,

you will need to meet specific 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 5Assignments Completed 5 out of 5Semester 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 thefollowing minimum results:

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Examination 40%Final Mark 50%

8 Schedule

The following table lists the schedule of lectures, tutorials and assignments with respect to thetopics that will be presented during the semester:

Week Date Topic1 11-02 Introduction, History, MVC2 18-02 REST, HTML, XML3 25-02 HTML, CSS4 04-03 JavaScript, JSON5 11-03 Engineering Test Week (No Lectures)6 18-03 JQuery (March Recess)7 01-04 JQuery

8 08-04 JQuery, AJAX9 15-04 Server-side Website Programming10 22-04 Networking11 29-04 Databases12 06-05 Engineering Test Week (No Lectures)13 13-05 Java GUI14 20-05 JEE15 27-05 Exam Preparation

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