24 Questions
What is the primary function of an Operating System?
To provide software platforms for applications
What type of Operating System allows multiple users to use the same system at the same time?
Multi-user
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
What is the term for when an Operating System can support the execution of multiple processes at the same time using multiple CPUs?
Multiprocessing
What is the benefit of Multitasking in an Operating System?
Allows multiple tasks to be performed at the same time
What type of Operating System allows multiple tasks to be performed one after another in a single CPU through time sharing?
Multitasking
What is the purpose of system files in an Operating System?
To include libraries of functions, system services, and drivers
What is the term for an Operating System that supports the execution of multiple programs simultaneously using a single CPU?
Multiprogramming
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
What is the main reason why increasing the number of processors may not always result in proportionally faster execution?
I/O access time constraints
What does the fraction (1 - F) represent in Amdahl’s Law?
The fraction of inherently sequential operations
What is the purpose of Amdahl’s Law?
To predict the maximum theoretical speedup of parallel processing
What is the formula to calculate processor performance?
I * CPI * T
What is the benefit of dividing a problem into smaller modules in programming?
Simplified program design
What is the concept that states that a machine must be able to execute programs written in different languages?
Computer Level Hierarchy
What is the primary goal of parallel processing?
To execute a program faster
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.
What is the purpose of a compiler or an interpreter in Level 5?
To translate high-level language to machine language.
What type of language is described as being 'close to the hardware'?
Low-level language
What is the level where executable programs run?
Level 6
What is the relationship between Level 4 and machine language?
Level 4 is a low-level language close to machine language.
What is the purpose of Level 4 in the computer level hierarchy?
To translate compiled high-level languages to assembly language.
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.
What is the level where graphics, or games are executed?
Level 6
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”.
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.
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