Computer Operating Systems (OS) Fundamentals

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of an Operating System?

To manage system files and libraries

To control peripheral devices such as printers

To manage computer hardware components

To provide software platforms for applications (correct)

What type of Operating System allows multiple users to use the same system at the same time?

Multi-user (correct)

Single-user

Multitasking

Multiprocessing

What is the process called when the OS stops the current program and runs another program when the former program's timeslice ends?

Context Switching (correct)

Time Sharing

Multitasking

Multiprocessing

What is the term for when an Operating System can support the execution of multiple processes at the same time using multiple CPUs?

Multiprocessing Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of Multitasking in an Operating System?

Allows multiple tasks to be performed at the same time Signup and view all the answers

What type of Operating System allows multiple tasks to be performed one after another in a single CPU through time sharing?

Multitasking Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of system files in an Operating System?

To include libraries of functions, system services, and drivers Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for an Operating System that supports the execution of multiple programs simultaneously using a single CPU?

Multiprogramming Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept that states there is always a fraction of the total operation that is inherently sequential and cannot be parallelized?

Amdahl’s Law Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why increasing the number of processors may not always result in proportionally faster execution?

I/O access time constraints Signup and view all the answers

What does the fraction `(1 - F)` represent in Amdahl’s Law?

The fraction of inherently sequential operations Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Amdahl’s Law?

To predict the maximum theoretical speedup of parallel processing Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula to calculate processor performance?

I * CPI * T Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of dividing a problem into smaller modules in programming?

Simplified program design Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept that states that a machine must be able to execute programs written in different languages?

Computer Level Hierarchy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of parallel processing?

To execute a program faster Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of Level 5 in the computer level hierarchy?

It is a programming language that enables a programmer to write programs that are more or less independent of a particular type of computer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a compiler or an interpreter in Level 5?

To translate high-level language to machine language. Signup and view all the answers

What type of language is described as being 'close to the hardware'?

Low-level language Signup and view all the answers

What is the level where executable programs run?

Level 6 Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between Level 4 and machine language?

Level 4 is a low-level language close to machine language. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Level 4 in the computer level hierarchy?

To translate compiled high-level languages to assembly language. Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of Level 5 languages such as C++, Java, FORTRAN, or Pascal?

They are more or less independent of a particular type of computer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the level where graphics, or games are executed?

Level 6 Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Operating System

Performs basic tasks such as recognizing input from keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the storage drives, and controlling peripheral devices such as printers.
Provides software platforms that determine the applications that can run.
Examples of OS in PCs or laptops are Microsoft Windows, Apple’s macOS, and an open source OS which is Linux.

Classifications of Operating Systems

Multi-user: allows more than one user to use the same system at the same time through multi I/O terminal or through the network.
Multiprocessing: can support execution of multiple processes at the same time and uses multiple number of CPUs.
Multitasking: allows more than one task to be performed at the same time but they are executed one after another in a single CPU through time sharing.

Multitasking or Multiprogramming

A process where the OS stops the current program and runs the other program when the former program’s timeslice ends.
Context switching: when the OS stops the current program and run the other program when the former program’s timeslice ends.

Non-Von Neumann Models

Amdahl’s Law: there are always some fraction of the total operation that is inherently sequential and cannot be parallelized no matter what you do.
The fraction can be reduced by deploying multiple processors, but it can’t be fully eliminated.

CPU Performance Equation

Processor Performance gives a rough estimate of the CPU performance in terms of seconds/program.
The equation is: Processor Performance = I * CPI * T, where I = number of instructions in program, CPI = average cycles per instruction, and T = clock cycle time or period.

Computer Level Hierarchy

LEVEL 6 - User Level: composed of applications or executable programs with which everyone is familiar, such as word processors, graphics, or games.
LEVEL 5 - High-Level Language Level: enables a programmer to write programs that are more or less independent of a particular type of computer, such as C++, Java, FORTRAN, or Pascal.
LEVEL 4 - Assembly Language Level: a low-level language that is much closer to machine language, compiled higher level languages are first translated to assembly, which is then translated to machine language.

Program Conversion

Level 5 - High-Level Programming Language: enables a programmer to write programs that are more or less independent of a particular type of computer, such as C++, Java, FORTRAN, or Pascal.
Level 4 - Low-Level Programming Language: provides commands or functions in a language map closely to processors instructions, sometimes described as being “close to the hardware”.

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Description

Learn about the basic functions of Computer Operating Systems, including recognizing input, sending output, and managing files and directories. Explore the different levels of modern computing systems and their components.