Developing concurrent distributed systems
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| 3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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Summary
The computing systems that support any large enterprise now use concurrency and distribution. In this course, you’ll look at the theory and practice of developing such systems, and learn about the advanced use of Java – such as Java’s concurrency features and the layered approach for building large enterprise systems – using Java Enterprise Edition as a practical illustration. You’ll also examine heterogeneous and mobile systems and security. The course uses examples, from simple stand-alone systems, distributed systems with web access, and online auction systems. You should be familiar with Java 5.0, perhaps by successfully completing Putting Java to work (M257).
Course content
How is it possible that computer systems appear to be able to do many things at the same time? When working on my PC, how is it possible that I can seamlessly switch from one activity to another? How can a web server respond to huge numbers of clients simultaneously, without getting everyone’s details in a muddle?
These are the sorts of questions addressed in this course where you will study the topic of concurrency, i.e. a number of tasks in the process of being executed at the same time, and the topic of distribution such as we may find in internet applications. You’ll study the theory and practice of developing such systems, using a combination of written study materials and programming activities using Java and the NetBeans Java IDE. Occasionally we’ll ask you to do some further research by yourself.
This course will be valuable to anyone who wants to understand how concurrent distributed systems work. This is an area of software engineering that is changing rapidly, with new technologies emerging (and fashions changing) all the time, and this course will help you understand how things work ‘under the hood’. This should give you a good foundation to work from, whether you go on to be part of a team implementing and putting together such a system, or whether your role is to be able to communicate with others about such systems and to make professional judgements.
The course consists of three parts.
The first part of the course concentrates on the study of concurrency. We study the concept of a process and how processes communicate. Before you start this course, you should have a good working knowledge of Java so that you can further build on this by studying threading and Java’s concurrency mechanisms.
In the second part, you concentrate on distribution issues, and use the example of the Java Enterprise framework for large enterprise systems. Distributed systems consist of a number of different parts, each with their own functionality and their own set of problems. The course looks at the various parts and explains the techniques available for dealing with them, including Java servlets, JSP and Enterprise Java Beans. You’ll also study how the communication is organised and consider some of the security concerns that are important to distributed systems.
In the final part of the course you’ll look at how to deal with heterogeneous systems and at the .NET framework. You’ll also briefly investigate mobile systems and look at future developments that are likely to be relevant for concurrent distributed systems.
Throughout the course you’ll study the development of systems, moving from simple stand-alone systems, to distributed systems with web access, to online auction systems. You’ll work initially on very simple scenarios, progressing to more complex and realistic scenarios by the end of the course.
As you study the course, you will be using email, online forums and the World Wide Web for communication with the University, your tutor and other students.
Entry
This is a Level 3 course. Level 3 courses build on study skills and subject knowledge acquired from studies at Levels 1 and 2. They are intended for students who have recent experience of higher education in a related subject, preferably with the OU. You must be familiar with programming in Java (such as can be gained from studying Putting Java to work (M257) (or M254)). It assumes the ability to create and amend Java applications that involve:
- interfaces and abstract classes, polymorphism, packages and access modifiers
- graphical user interface components, event handling techniques, and the use of exceptions
- the use of Java APIs, such as the Collections package.
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
M362 is a compulsory course in our
- BSc (Honours) Computing (B29)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Computing and Statistics (B34)
- Shortened BSc (Honours) Computing and its Practice (B40) (top-up for foundation degree)
M362 is an optional course in our
- Diploma in Computing (D12)
- BA/BSc (Honours) Computing and Mathematical Sciences (B14)
- BSc (Honours) Computing and Systems Practice (B33)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it is equally appropriate to a BA or BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
Excluded combinations
Sometimes you will not be able to count a course towards a qualification if you have already taken another course with similar content. To check any excluded combinations relating to this course, visit our excluded combination finder or check with our Student Registration & Enquiry Service before registering.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) versions of printed material are available. Some Adobe PDF components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and musical notation and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request. Descriptions of diagrams and figures are available. Other alternative formats of the course materials may be available in the future. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
M362 uses the software package NetBeans which uses a graphical interface. Much of the software can instead be run from a command line although there are some practical exercises that require the ability to analyse visual information that appears on a computer screen. If you use special hardware or software you must, well before the course begins, find out whether it will work with the course software.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course texts, other printed materials, course software (including NetBeans) on CD-ROM, a course website, online forums.
You will need
You require internet access at least once a week during the course to download course resources and assignments, submit assignments and keep up to date with course news.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running windows Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course.
Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Professional recognition
This course may help you to gain recognition from a professional body. You can download our Recognition leaflets 3.3 Professional Engineering Institutions and 3.7 Computing or ask our Student Registration & Enquiry Service for a copy.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in February 2011. We expect it to be available once a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Computing and ICT.
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