Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary function of the operating system (OS)?
What is the primary function of the operating system (OS)?
- Masking the details of the hardware from the programmer (correct)
- Detecting and responding to errors
- Creating new programs
- Providing access to I/O devices
Which part of the system does the OS provide controlled access to?
Which part of the system does the OS provide controlled access to?
- Files (correct)
- System interconnect (bus)
- Execution hardware
- Memory translation
What area of services does the OS NOT typically provide?
What area of services does the OS NOT typically provide?
- Accounting
- Instruction Set Architecture (correct)
- Program creation
- Error detection and response
Which aspect of the system does the OS mask from the programmer?
Which aspect of the system does the OS mask from the programmer?
In which area does the OS NOT typically provide services?
In which area does the OS NOT typically provide services?
What does the Application binary interface (ABI) define in a typical computer system?
What does the Application binary interface (ABI) define in a typical computer system?
Which type of operating system allows the user to interact directly with the computer to request the execution of a job or perform a transaction?
Which type of operating system allows the user to interact directly with the computer to request the execution of a job or perform a transaction?
What was a common problem in early computer systems from the late 1940s to the mid-1950s?
What was a common problem in early computer systems from the late 1940s to the mid-1950s?
What makes the Operating System as a control mechanism unusual?
What makes the Operating System as a control mechanism unusual?
What is the key function of an Application programming interface (API) in a typical computer system?
What is the key function of an Application programming interface (API) in a typical computer system?
Study Notes
Operating System (OS) Function and Characteristics
- The primary function of the OS is to manage and provide controlled access to system resources, such as hardware, memory, and I/O devices.
System Resources and Access
- The OS provides controlled access to the system's hardware, memory, and I/O devices.
Excluded Services
- The OS typically does not provide services related to application-specific functions or business logic.
System Abstraction
- The OS masks the underlying hardware and system complexity from the programmer, providing a platform for them to develop applications.
Excluded Services Area
- The OS typically does not provide services related to business logic or application-specific functions.
Application Binary Interface (ABI)
- The ABI defines the interface between the application program and the operating system, including the binary format, memory layout, and system calls.
Interactive Operating System
- An interactive operating system allows the user to interact directly with the computer to request the execution of a job or perform a transaction, such as command-line interfaces or graphical user interfaces.
Early Computer Systems Problems
- A common problem in early computer systems from the late 1940s to the mid-1950s was the need for manual intervention and setup for each job or program, making it inefficient and prone to errors.
Operating System as a Control Mechanism
- What makes the OS as a control mechanism unusual is its ability to provide a layer of abstraction between the application software and the underlying hardware, managing system resources and providing a platform for application development.
Application Programming Interface (API)
- The key function of an API in a typical computer system is to provide a set of predefined functions and protocols that allow application software to interact with the operating system and access system resources.
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Description
Test your knowledge of Chapter 8 on Operating System Support from William Stallings' 'Computer Organization and Architecture' 10th Edition. Questions cover topics such as application programming interface, software, hardware components, and system interconnect.
