SystemStudio CIS 310

Explore how a computer works: Hands-on Studio → Explore CPU, memory and I/O. Follow highlighted bus transfers, step through instructions, and choose the detail you want to see. Works offline.

Your optional VS Code companion for Computer Organization and Assembly Language · Fall 2026 · University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Find lectures and readings, prepare for assignments, and work with Digital circuits or NASM assembly in one place. Canvas holds the current assignment requirements, deadlines, and submissions.

Start here

1. In VS Code Extensions, search for ProbirRoy.systemstudio-cis310 and select Install.
2. Open the SystemStudio CIS 310 icon in the left activity bar.
3. Under Course Dashboard, choose Find homework or an assignment. Select your assignment and choose Read full Fall assignment. Start setup when the assignment needs a tool.

On Windows or macOS, the guided route uses Docker Desktop. Start it and wait for Engine running; Docker sign-in is not required. Setup asks before installing or changing tools. AI assistance is optional.

What are you working on?

Digital work builds the 4-bit instructional processor. The NASM workbench runs separate 32-bit IA-32 programs.

For tool setup, use Course Dashboard → Set up or repair my course environment.

Stuck?

Open Help and Feedback for help, or ask Orbit about the first step that failed. For setup problems, include your operating system and the first error message. Keep API keys and private course records out of chat.

For step-by-step instructions, open Course Dashboard → Course Essentials → Take the visual feature walkthrough.

Your work stays yours. Orbit provides hints, not assignment answers. Complete the beginning-of-course pre-test unaided. Practice and progress are local learning aids; submit required work in Canvas and check its receipt.

Optional performance exploration

Lecture 11 → Practice → Explore loop unrolling (PerfBank C17) connects pipeline reasoning to a local C++ measurement and generated assembly. Use the existing course Docker environment; no separate extension or AI account is needed. Predict, check behavior, measure, then try the small follow-up experiment. These are ungraded worked examples.