SystemStudio CIS 450 / ECE 478

Your optional VS Code companion for Operating Systems · Fall 2026 · University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Find OSTEP readings, prepare for assignments, and work with xv6 or C/pthreads in one place. Canvas holds the current assignment requirements, deadlines, and submissions.

Start here

1. In VS Code Extensions, search for ProbirRoy.systemstudio-cis450-ece478 and select Install.
2. Open the CIS 450 / ECE 478 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, start Docker Desktop and wait for Engine running. Docker sign-in is not required. On Windows, choose VS Code as Git's editor. Setup asks before installing or changing tools. AI assistance is optional.

What are you working on?

Looking for the Programming 1A Dockerfile? Inside the xv6 section, choose Read Programming 1A setup prompt. It opens before you create a workspace. Use the current Canvas prompt for assessed requirements.

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

Stuck?

Open Help and Feedback or ask Orbit about the first step that failed. Include your operating system and the first error message for setup problems. 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. Local practice and checks do not submit coursework; submit in Canvas and check its receipt.

Optional performance exploration

Module 11 → Explore buffered output (PerfBank C05) connects I/O buffering to local measurements and actual output-system-call counts. The same activity appears under the I/O lab’s additional exploration. 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.

Explore xv6 execution

Choose Explore xv6 execution under xv6 in the course sidebar. Replay two CPUs, inspect process states, and view performance metrics. Start with an offline scenario, or use Docker to record a separate stock xv6 run. How the measurements work.