Overview

I. Introduction & Fundamentals

1. What is an Operating System?
   • Definition, Goals, and Purposes
   • Types of Operating Systems (Batch, Time-Sharing, Real-Time, etc.)
   • Examples of Operating Systems (Windows, Linux, macOS, Android)
2. Computer System Structure
   • Hardware Components (CPU, Memory, Storage, I/O Devices)
   • Software Layers (Firmware, OS, Applications)
   • Von Neumann Architecture
3. Operating System Structure
   • Monolithic Kernel, Layered Architecture, Microkernel, etc.
   • System Calls and Interrupts
   • Process Management Structures
4. Processes and Threads
   • Process Definition, States, and Transitions
   • Process Control Block (PCB)
   • Threads: Definition, Benefits, and Challenges
   • Multithreading Models (Kernel-Level, User-Level)
5. Process Scheduling
   • Types of Schedulers (Long-Term, Short-Term, I/O)
   • Scheduling Algorithms (FCFS, SJF, Round Robin, Priority, Multilevel Queue, etc.)
   • Process Synchronization & Communication
   • Inter-Process Communication (IPC) Mechanisms (Shared Memory, Message Passing)
   • Classical Synchronization Problems (Producer-Consumer, Reader-Writer, Dining Philosophers)

II. Memory Management

1. Memory Hierarchy
   • Cache Memory (Levels, Organization, Policies)
   • Main Memory (RAM)
   • Secondary Storage (Hard Disk, SSD)
2. Logical vs. Physical Addresses
   • Address Binding
   • Memory Management Unit (MMU)
3. Contiguous Memory Allocation
   • Fixed Partitioning
   • Variable Partitioning (First-Fit, Best-Fit, Worst-Fit)
   • External Fragmentation
4. Paging
   • Page Table, Frame Table
   • Page Fault, Page Replacement Algorithms (FIFO, Optimal, LRU, etc.)
5. Segmentation
   • Segment Table, Segment Descriptors
   • Combined Paging and Segmentation

III. Virtual Memory

1. Concept of Virtual Memory
   • Demand Paging
   • Page Fault Handling
   • Working Set Model
2. Thrashing
   • Causes and Solutions
3. Page Replacement Algorithms (Advanced)
   • Clock Algorithm, Enhanced Second Chance, etc.
4. Memory-Mapped Files

IV. Storage Management

1. Disk Structure
   • Platters, Tracks, Sectors, Cylinders
   • Disk Scheduling Algorithms (FCFS, SSTF, SCAN, C-SCAN, LOOK, C-LOOK)
2. File System
   • File Concept, Types, Attributes
   • File System Structure (File Control Block, Directory Structure)
3. File System Implementation
   • Contiguous Allocation, Linked Allocation, Indexed Allocation
4. Free Space Management
   • Bit Vector, Linked List, Grouping
5. Disk Defragmentation

V. I/O Systems

1. I/O Hardware
   • I/O Controllers
   • DMA (Direct Memory Access)
2. I/O Software
   • Device Drivers, Device-Independent I/O
   • Spooling and Buffering
3. I/O Techniques
   • Programmed I/O, Interrupt-Driven I/O, DMA
4. Kernel I/O Subsystem

VI. Deadlocks

1. Deadlock Characterization
   • Necessary Conditions
2. Deadlock Prevention
   • Resource Allocation Strategies
3. Deadlock Avoidance
   • Banker's Algorithm
4. Deadlock Detection and Recovery

VII. Security & Protection

1. Security Threats and Attacks
   • Malware, Trojans, Worms, Viruses
   • Denial-of-Service Attacks
   • Social Engineering
2. Security Mechanisms
   • Authentication and Authorization
   • Access Control Lists (ACLs)
   • Cryptography (Encryption, Hashing)
3. Protection in Operating Systems
   • Memory Protection
   • File Protection

VIII. Case Studies & Modern Operating Systems

1. Linux Operating System
   • Kernel Structure, Modules, System Calls
   • Process Management, Memory Management, File System
2. Windows Operating System
   • Kernel Architecture, System Processes, Services
   • Memory Management, File System (NTFS)
3. Android Operating System
   • Linux Kernel, Dalvik Virtual Machine, App Framework
4. iOS Operating System
   • Darwin Kernel, Cocoa Touch Framework, App Sandbox
5. Virtualization and Cloud Computing
   • Hypervisors, Virtual Machines
   • Cloud OS Architectures (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS)

IX. Advanced Topics

1. Distributed Systems
   • Types of Distributed Systems, Architectural Models
   • Distributed File Systems, Distributed Shared Memory
2. Real-Time Operating Systems
   • Hard Real-Time vs. Soft Real-Time Systems
   • Scheduling Algorithms for Real-Time Systems
3. Embedded Operating Systems
   • Characteristics, Design Considerations
   • Examples of Embedded OS (FreeRTOS, Contiki)
4. Operating System Design and Implementation
   • Design Principles, Kernel Programming
5. Performance Evaluation
   • Metrics, Benchmarking, Profiling Tools

X. Emerging Trends

1. Mobile Operating Systems
   • Challenges and Future Directions
2. Internet of Things (IoT) Operating Systems
   • Lightweight OS, Security Considerations
3. Cloud Operating Systems
   • Scalability, Elasticity, Security in Cloud Environments
4. Containerization and Microservices
   • Docker, Kubernetes, Impact on OS Design
5. Quantum Operating Systems
   • Challenges and Opportunities for Managing Quantum Computers
6. Operating System Security and Privacy
   • New threats and advancements in security mechanisms.

XI. Learning Resources

• Textbooks:
  • Operating System Concepts by Abraham Silberschatz, Peter Baer Galvin, and Greg Gagne
  • Modern Operating Systems by Andrew S. Tanenbaum
  • Understanding the Linux Kernel by Daniel P. Bovet and Marco Cesati
• Online Courses:
  • MIT OpenCourseware: Operating System Engineering
  • Coursera: Operating Systems by University of Colorado
• Websites and Blogs:
  • LWN (Linux Weekly News)
  • Ars Technica: Operating Systems
  • Stack Overflow (for technical questions and discussions)