Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary difference between the kernel mode and user mode of operation in a computer?
What is the primary difference between the kernel mode and user mode of operation in a computer?
- The kernel mode has access to all hardware, but the user mode does not.
- The user mode is faster than the kernel mode because it has fewer restrictions.
- The kernel mode is used for user interface programs, while the user mode is used for system software.
- The kernel mode is used by the operating system, but the user mode is used by application software. (correct)
What is the function of the operating system in a computer?
What is the function of the operating system in a computer?
- To provide a user interface for the computer.
- To manage the hardware resources of the computer. (correct)
- To translate high-level language to machine language.
- To execute user-mode programs only.
What type of software is the user interface program?
What type of software is the user interface program?
- Application software
- Kernel-mode software
- System software
- User-mode software (correct)
Which of the following is a characteristic of kernel mode?
Which of the following is a characteristic of kernel mode?
What is the main difference between the operating system and normal user-mode software?
What is the main difference between the operating system and normal user-mode software?
What is the purpose of the operating system in Fig. 1-1?
What is the purpose of the operating system in Fig. 1-1?
Why can a user modify their email reader but not their clock interrupt handler?
Why can a user modify their email reader but not their clock interrupt handler?
What is the relation between the operating system and application software?
What is the relation between the operating system and application software?
What is the primary purpose of an operating system?
What is the primary purpose of an operating system?
What lies beneath the 'Android' layer of software on a smartphone?
What lies beneath the 'Android' layer of software on a smartphone?
What is the most popular operating system in the world?
What is the most popular operating system in the world?
What is not a part of the operating system?
What is not a part of the operating system?
What is the main reason why operating systems are necessary?
What is the main reason why operating systems are necessary?
What is the relation between macOS and iOS?
What is the relation between macOS and iOS?
What is the primary function of the operating system in relation to computer hardware?
What is the primary function of the operating system in relation to computer hardware?
What is the relationship between Linux and UNIX?
What is the relationship between Linux and UNIX?
Study Notes
Computer Components
- A modern computer consists of processors, main memory, hard disks or Flash drives, printers, keyboard, mouse, display, network interfaces, and other input/output devices.
Operating System
- The operating system provides a simpler model of the computer to user programs and manages all the resources.
- Operating systems are essential because managing all the components and using them optimally is a challenging job.
Smartphones and Tablets
- Smartphones and tablets are just computers in a smaller package with a touch screen, and they all have operating systems.
- Apple’s iOS is similar to macOS, which runs on Apple’s desktop and MacBook systems.
- Android smartphones and tablets run Linux as the operating system on the bare hardware.
Operating System Classification
- The most popular operating system in the world is UNIX and its variants, including macOS and Linux.
Operating System Components
- The program that users interact with (shell or GUI) is not part of the operating system, although it uses the operating system to get its work done.
- The operating system runs in kernel mode (supervisor mode) and has complete access to all the hardware.
- User-mode software runs in a subset of machine instructions and is forbidden to execute instructions that affect control of the machine, determine security boundaries, or do I/O.
Kernel Mode vs User Mode
- Kernel mode: the operating system has complete access to all the hardware and can execute any instruction the machine is capable of executing.
- User mode: only a subset of machine instructions is available, and user-mode programs are forbidden to execute instructions that affect control of the machine, determine security boundaries, or do I/O.
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Description
Learn about the components of a modern computer and the role of an operating system in managing resources and providing a simpler model to user programs.
