CIS241

System-Level Programming and Utilities

Erik Fredericks, frederer@gvsu.edu
Fall 2025

Based on material provided by Erin Carrier and Austin Ferguson

The Plan (approximately)

First half: Linux
Second half: C

About Me (or, the relevant things)

Office: MAK D2-235

Office Hours: TR, X-Ypm

Discord:

Join the #241 channel for async help

• I'll also keep an eye on the CIS Discord as well

Also

I've completely dumped Windows for Linux

• Arch (EndeavorOS) at home
• pop_os! (Debian) on this machine

Why?

Too much baggage to unpack without a therapist, but the Windows Recall thing was the final straw

What does this mean for me?

I don't have a Windows or a Mac to fix your issues for you...

Lab Environments

EOS is where all your assignments will be tested on, so make sure it works there before submitting anything

All material can be tested on your own computers

• Windows: WSL!

• Linux: Linux!

• Mac: Also Linux!

Syllabus Time

Important things:

Grading

Late Policy

Assignments are due on time.
You can turn it in up to three days late - it is 10% off each day and a 0 afterwards.

• If there are extenuating circumstances talk to me early - if you ask me the night something is due I will most likely say no.

AI Use

My preference is for you not to use it for this class. Try things first, watch how things break, fail often. Learn from your mistakes - that's how learning works.

However, I realize it can be helpful at times. I ask that you don't completely copy/paste what it gives you and that you understand how it is helping. Note that if I ask you to explain your code and you can't, then it becomes an academic misconduct violation.

If you become one of those coders in industry who can't function without an AI helper then you are pretty much useless. Use it to clarify things, not to do your job.

Remote Access

SSH - Secure Shell

What is a shell?

What shell am I using?

echo $0

$0 --> variable for the name of the shell

SSH is how you can access a remote shell

Try it! Or else!

• Or else what?
  • Or else you won't be able to do your homework and pass the course!

The Bigger Picture

The Bigger Picture (Linux edition)

Who cares?

1. For one, think of how cool you'll look using the terminal in front of friends and family.

   • See previous slide

2. Access remote systems

   • Web servers, high-performance computing environments, cloud systems, etc.

3. Automate, automate, automate

   • Automate all the things (Windows included!)
     • Windows ... how?!?!!

The Bigger Picture (C Edition)

C is gross - shouldn't we be using Rust? Or Python or Java?!?!

• Does anybody know why C still exists?