Systems Integration - Expanded Project Guides
Generated from:
SPRINT_5_SYSTEMS_INTEGRATION_PROJECTS.mdThis folder contains deep-dive guides for each project in the learning path.
Overview
These projects focus on production-grade integration boundaries: file descriptors, log rotation, connection pools, process supervision, memory-mapped IPC, and environment diagnostics. The goal is to build systems that keep working when reality differs from your dev machine.
Project Index
| # | Project | Difficulty | Time | Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Multi-Source Log Tailer with Rotation Handling | Intermediate | 1-2 weeks | FDs, inode tracking, I/O multiplexing |
| 2 | HTTP Connection Pool with Failure Injection | Intermediate-Advanced | 2-3 weeks | Sockets, TCP states, resilience |
| 3 | Process Supervisor with Signal Forwarding | Intermediate-Advanced | 2-3 weeks | Process lifecycle, signals, zombies |
| 4 | Memory-Mapped Ring Buffer IPC | Advanced | 2-3 weeks | mmap, cache effects, atomics |
| 5 | “Works On My Machine” Debugger | Intermediate | 1-2 weeks | /proc, limits, env diff |
| 6 | Deployment Pipeline Tool | Advanced | 3-4 weeks | Integration of all subsystems |
Learning Paths
- New to systems programming: start with Project 5, then 1, then 3.
- Production skills: start with Project 2, then 1, then 5, then 6.
- Deep mastery: complete all 6 in order and read the referenced chapters.
- Interview prep: focus on Projects 1-3 and the interview sections.
Prerequisites
- Solid C fundamentals (pointers, structs, memory allocation).
- Basic Unix/Linux usage (shell, permissions, manpages).
- Understanding of processes, syscalls, and file descriptors at a conceptual level.