Writing Simulation Programs As A Tool For Understanding Internal Computer Processes

The usual approach to a hands-on understanding of process scheduling in a computer operating system is to either modify an existing operating system or use a pre-written simulation program. In an Engineering Technology program, the first approach can be too difficult for the level of programming expertise possessed by the students, while the second approach does not give enough of a hands-on feel. In my Operating Systems class, I have the students write their own simulations of process scheduling. This approach provides many of the same benefits of modifying an existing operating system, while keeping the complexity of the task relatively low. This approach has the side benefit of providing the students with valuable additional programming practice.