SYLLABUS

CSci351 Introduction to File Processing
Department of Computer Science, University of North Dakota
Spring, 2008

Class time: 09:00am – 09:50am, MWF
Classroom: Streibel Hall 106
Credit hours: 3
Prerequisite: CSci242 Algorithms and Data Structures
Class pages†: http://people.cs.und.edu/~wenchen/course/351/
 
Instructor: Wen-Chen Hu
Email: wenchen@cs.und.edu
Office: Streibel Hall 212
Office hours: 12:00noon – 01:00pm, MWF, or simply dropping by
 
Teaching assistant: Anupam Thakur
Email: thakur@cs.und.edu
Office: Streibel Hall 229
Office hours: 02:00pm – 04:00pm, Tuesday

DESCRIPTION: This course introduces various techniques of using mass storage devices such as disks. It includes three major subjects:

The following topics are covered: file structures and organization, computer storage, file management and processing methods including various indexing techniques, B-trees, and hashing, database systems, comprehensive file- and database- driven web system design and construction, and some other special topics.

A generic structure of a file-driven web system —


A generic structure of a database-driven web system —



TEXTBOOK: File Structures: An Object-Oriented Approach with C++ by Michael J. Folk, Bill Zoellick, and Greg Riccardi. Addison-Wesley, 1998. (ISBN 0-201-87401-6)

EVALUATION (Attendance is absolutely required): 
    Homeworks & quizzes‡   ——  15%
    Programming exercises  ——  25%
    Two exams              ——  20% each
    Final exam             ——  20%
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE: 
    Week        1  ——  Introduction
    Week        2  ——  Fundamental file processing
    Week        3  ——  Programming Exercise I
    Week        4  ——  Secondary storage
    Weeks  5 -  6  ——  File structure and management
    Weeks  7 -  8  ——  File organization
    Week       10  ——  Programming Exercise II
    Weeks 11 - 12  ——  Databases and JDBC (Java DataBase Connectivity)
    Weeks 13 - 14  ——  Indexing 
    Weeks 15 - 16  ——  Multilevel indexing and B-trees
    Week       17  ——  Indexed sequential file access

DISHONESTY: Under no circumstances will acts of academic dishonesty be tolerated. Any suspected incidents of dishonesty will be promptly referred to the Assistant Dean of Students. Refer to the Code of Student Life, Chapter 3-3 Scholastic Dishonesty.

DISABILITY: Students who need special accommodations for learning or who have special needs are invited to share these concerns or requests with the instructor as soon as possible.

†The on-line class materials provide the most complete and up-to-date information about this course. However, many key points in the slides will be omitted, but will be given in classes. They will be asked or used in the exams, quizzes, or exercises. This is to encourage students to attend classes.

‡The quizzes are simple and straightforward and will not be announced in advance.