CS518 is a graduate course teaching principles of developing distributed systems. We cover approaches that use distributed object and component middleware, aspect-oriented programming, and service-oriented architectures. CS518 is a programming-intensive course and requires a term paper.

You must have a Colorado State University eIdentity (eID), before you can be installed into the CS518 RamCT courseware system. The CS518 RamCT page will have all of the course notes, assignments, and discussions, so it is very important for you to be installed on this system. Visit the eIdentity and eServices web page to get your eID. You will not be able to take part in the course until you have an eID.

Once the semester starts, communication with the instructor may be done by posting messages on the RamCT discussion group or by email. The instructor will create appropriate topics under which students will be able to create discussion threads.

1. Characterization of distributed systems
   • Introduction and examples of distributed systems
   • System models: architectural models and fundamental models
2. Distributed objects and remote method invocation
   • Middleware and infrastructure
   • Remote method calls
   • External data representation and marshalling
   • Remote events and notifications
   • Case studies
3. Aspect-oriented software development
   • Introduction to crosscutting concerns and aspects
   • Introduction to the AspectJ programming language
4. Design patterns for distributed applications
5. Introduction to component-based development
   • Using UML for component-based design and assignment
   • Articles on JavaBeans, Enterprise Java Beans, and CORBA
6. Introduction to service-oriented architectures
   • Characteristics of SOAs
   • Introduction to web services
7. Other topics
   • OSGi
   • Spring framework
   • Adaptive middleware

• Required Text:
  • Distributed Systems: Concepts and Design by George Coulouris, Jean Dollimore, Tim Kindberg, and Gordon Blair, Addison Wesley, ISBN: 0-13-214301-1, 5th edition, May 2011.
    
  • AspectJ in Action by R. Laddad, Manning publications, 2nd edition, ISBN: 1933988053, Sept 2009.
    

• Supplementary Texts:

  There are no recommended supplementary texts. A lot of the material we use for specific technologies can be obtained from sample textbook chapters off the internet. Feel free to purchase books that are related to specific technologies.

• Papers:

  Selected papers from journals or conferences will be made available on RamCT.

• Lecture slides:

  Class notes will be available on RamCT.

Here is a summary of our grading criteria:

• 20% - Homework assignments
• 40% - Term project
• 20% - Midterm
• 20% - Final

Final letter grades will be based on the relative distribution of total scores and not on any preset numerical grade.

There are two exams: one midterm and one final. The midterm exam will be held in class during the regular class period. The final exam will be held in the designated time slot.

We will be glad to re-grade the same submission if you feel that there was a mistake in grading. Contact us within 4 calendar days for a re-grade. Work will be re-graded in its entirety, and may result in an increase, decrease, or no change in the grade. Note that, once we have graded an assignment, we will not allow you to re-do and re-submit it for grading.

• Late assignment or project work will not be accepted without prior permission. If you cannot finish the work by the deadline, contact the instructor as soon as possible. Extensions will be granted on a case-by-case basis and are more likely when permission is sought in advance, for reasons which are unexpected and beyond your control, and which involve only a short extension. The instructor reserves the right to assign a score penalty to the late work, depending on the circumstances and degree of lateness.

• Late penalties for design and discussion assignments are as follows:
  • Up to 12 hours late: 10% penalty
  • 12 to 24 hours late: 25% penalty
  • 24 to 48 hours late: 50% penalty
  • More than 48 hours late: No credit

  Note that the percentages refer to the total points available for the deliverable, not the points that you have received. That is, if an assignment is worth 100 points, and you get 76 and are 7 hours late, you will receive 66 points.

• If you miss an exam, you receive a score of zero.

All students are expected to conduct themselves professionally. We assume you are familiar with the policies in the student information sheet for the department and the department conduct code. Additionally, you are computing professionals, albeit perhaps just starting. You should be familiar with the code of conduct for the primary professional society, ACM. You can read the ACM Code of Conduct HERE.

This course will adhere to the CSU Academic Integrity Policy as found in the General Catalog and the Student Conduct Code. At a minimum, violations will result in a grading penalty in this course and a report to the Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct Services.

Students not already familiar with the CSU Honor Pledge should review this clear and simple pledge and always adhere to it. Academic dishonesty will be dealt with severely. The first instance of cheating will result in negative credit. The second instance will result in a failing grade and other penalties dictated by departmental and university policies.

We work to maintain an environment supportive of learning in the classroom and laboratory. Towards that end, we require that you be courteous to and respectful of your fellow participants (i.e., classmates, instructors, GTAs and any tutors). In particular:

• Please turn off the ring on your cell phone. If you are expecting an emergency call, sit near the door and slide out discretely to take it.
• In class use of electronic devices in general, and laptops specifically, is permitted as a courtesy so that you may better participate and learn. If at any time the instructor judges that an electronic device is becoming a distraction the student may be asked to to turn it off and put it away.

We require you to follow the guidelines listed below for postings on RamCT:

• Be professional.
• Be courteous.
• Do not post any questions about your grade or any grading issues. Such questions are private communication and must be emailed.
• Do not post any opinions regarding your graded assignment, or any aspect of the course. You will have a chance to submit anonymous reviews at the end of the semester. Email feedback to the instructor regarding the course is acceptable and welcome.
• The instructor reserves the right to delete postings that do not promote a conducive learning experience for students in the class.