Systems Programming

Systems Programming: Designing and Developing Distributed Applications explains how the development of distributed applications depends on a foundational understanding of the relationship among operating systems, networking, distributed systems, and programming. Uniquely organized around four viewpoints (process, communication, resource, and architecture), the fundamental and essential characteristics of distributed systems are explored in ways which cut across the various traditional subject area boundaries. The structures, configurations and behaviours of distributed systems are all examined, allowing readers to explore concepts from different perspectives, and to understand systems in depth, both from the component level and holistically.

Designed as a comprehensive, self-contained introduction to designing and developing distributed applications, this book is ideal for anyone who needs a comprehensive understanding of distributed systems. Readers will come away not only ready to design and develop distributed applications, but also to see the larger picture and appreciate alternate approaches.

• Explains key ideas from the ground up, in a self-contained style, with material carefully sequenced to make it easy to absorb and follow.
• Features a detailed case study that is designed to serve as a common point of reference and to provide continuity across the different technical chapters.
• Includes a 'putting it all together' chapter that looks at interesting distributed systems applications across their entire life-cycle from requirements analysis and design specifications to fully working applications with full source code.
• Ancillary materials include problems and solutions, programming exercises, simulation experiments, and a wide range of fully working sample applications with complete source code developed in C++, C# and Java.
• Special editions of the author's established 'workbenches' teaching and learning tools suite are included. These tools have been specifically designed to facilitate practical experimentation and simulation of complex and dynamic aspects of systems.

Richard John Anthony has been a university lecturer for over 20 years with teaching focusing on operating systems, networking, distributed systems, programming and embedded systems; and he has considerable experience in curriculum design in these areas. He also works in commercial projects as a technology consultant and systems developer. Other previous roles include microprocessor technician, network manager, database administrator and senior software developer in a commercial role. This rich mix of experience gives him a good insight across all aspects of computer systems and technology, and the ability to see the big picture view as well as the low-level technology focus. He's also an established and active researcher, having over 90 academic publications in autonomic computing, smart embedded systems and distributed systems, and currently leads a research group in autonomic computing and smart embedded systems. His research is underpinned by strong software design and developmental skills, giving a highly empirical flavor to his work.