Introduction to Client-Server Computing (CSTP 1303)

In this course students are introduced to the fundamentals of developing a distributed computer system based on the client/server paradigm. The challenges, the tools and techniques, and various characteristics of mobile vs desktop environments with respect to the Client-Server application model are analysed. Students will develop distributed applications using sockets, datagrams, pipes and FIFO buffers, using low-level tools such as C++ or windows API(Application Programming Interface) such as COM (Common Object Model), RPC (Remote Procedure Call), and various web technologies, based on the experience and preferences of the instructor. The goal for this course is to make students aware, through hands-on work, of the challenges of a networked application, such as performance, delays, reliability, scalability, and security issues.