Computer System Management Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which type of memory loses its contents when power is turned off?

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Random Access Memory (RAM) (correct)

Cache Memory

Secondary Storage

What is the primary function of the Arithmetic and Logical Unit (ALU)?

Storing data permanently

Performing arithmetic and logical operations (correct)

Controlling sequence of operations

Interfacing with input and output units

Which of the following is an example of an output unit?

Microphone

Keyboard

Scanner

Monitor (correct)

What type of software includes operating systems and application programs?

System Software Signup and view all the answers

Which memory type is non-volatile and can only be read?

Read Only Memory (ROM) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of cache memory in a computer system?

To increase processor speed Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of secondary storage?

Permanent data storage Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of hardware?

Web Browser Signup and view all the answers

Which operating system was developed by the Stanford Research Institute in the late 1960s?

ON-Line System (NLS) Signup and view all the answers

What was the original name of Unix before it was renamed?

MULTICS Signup and view all the answers

Which operating system is based on MS-DOS and was released on August 24, 1995?

Windows 95 Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the project at Berkeley that led to the creation of FreeBSD?

BSD Project Signup and view all the answers

What significant change happened to the Solaris operating system after Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems?

It was renamed Oracle Solaris. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes soft real-time systems?

Tasks can be slightly delayed without any detrimental effect. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of system would likely utilize soft real-time properties?

A scientific experiment data collection system Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of a compiler in programming?

To convert the entire program into machine language at once. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an activity supported by modern operating systems?

User Interface Design Signup and view all the answers

How do interpreters differ from compilers in terms of error handling?

Interpreters display errors for each line when it is read. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes high-level programming languages from low-level programming languages?

High-level languages are similar to natural languages. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following programming languages is considered a high-level language?

Java Signup and view all the answers

What type of language requires an assembler for conversion to machine code?

Low-Level Language Signup and view all the answers

Which type of secondary storage is characterized by rotational motion and is divided into tracks and sectors?

Magnetic Disk Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant disadvantage of using magnetic tapes for data storage?

Sequential access Signup and view all the answers

What does a compact disk (CD/ROM) primarily use to write data?

Laser beam Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following storage devices is known for being portable and allows easy data transfer?

Flash Drive Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the operating system's kernel?

To manage communication between components Signup and view all the answers

Which system allows multiple processes to run simultaneously by sharing time among them?

Multi-Tasking System Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'spooling' refer to in computing?

Simultaneous processing of multiple requests Signup and view all the answers

What is the approximate storage capacity of a standard floppy disk?

1.44 Mega Byte Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a computer operator in a batch processing system?

To classify jobs into batches for execution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following systems is characterized by having many processes ready to execute for one user?

Time-sharing system Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a multi-processing system?

It maximizes system speed through multiple processors Signup and view all the answers

In a real-time system, what is crucial for the execution of tasks?

Tasks must be executed on time without delay Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a time-sharing system?

IBM VM/CMS Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of network management systems?

To facilitate resource sharing and communication between hosts Signup and view all the answers

What type of real-time systems are critical tasks performed within strict time constraints?

Hard Real Time Systems Signup and view all the answers

Which task would most likely fall under the responsibilities of a batch processing system?

Processing payroll systems Signup and view all the answers

Which operating system is developed and marketed by Microsoft?

Windows Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Linux operating systems?

It has multiple variants that are mostly free or have nominal fees. Signup and view all the answers

Which operating system is exclusive to Apple devices such as iPhone and iPad?

iOS Signup and view all the answers

What was the first operating system created and by whom?

IBM 704 by General Motors Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a feature of early operating systems from the 1950s?

Multi-tasking capabilities Signup and view all the answers

What type of operating system is Android based on?

Modified Linux kernel Signup and view all the answers

Which operating system was developed by Apple Inc. since 2001?

Mac OS Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of paid operating systems in the market?

They usually offer different versions for users. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Content

Introduction
File System Management
Storage Management
Process Management
CPU Scheduling
Threading
Memory Management
Virtual Memory Management

Computer System

Hardware: input units, CPU, output units, secondary storage
- Examples: Monitor, keyboard, CPU, disks, memory, etc.
Software: Operating Systems, application programs, compilers, interpreters
Users: those who use the computer system

Application Programs

Programs installed to perform a specific task
Usually written in high-level languages (Python, Java, C++)
Examples: web browsers, email, word processors, excel, etc.

Computer System Internal Structure

Input Units: used to input data and instructions to memory
- Examples: keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, camera
Output Units: used to display output
- Examples: printer, monitor, speaker
Main Memory:
- RAM: stores user programs and data
- ROM: stores fixed programs used by the computer
- Cache Memory: increases processor speed
Control Unit: controls the sequence of operations, receives instructions/information from main memory
Processor: performs required tasks using Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU)
Secondary Storage Unit: stores data permanently
- Examples: hard disk, optical disk, floppy disk
Arithmetic and Logical Unit (ALU): performs arithmetic and logical operations on binary numbers
- Outputs change in response to input

Memory Components

Primary Storage/Main Memory: directly accessed by the CPU
- RAM: random access memory, volatile (loses content when power off), modifiable by user
- ROM: read-only memory, non-volatile, contains fixed programs (like boot program)
- Cache memory: inside processor, stores frequently used data, increases processor speed

Secondary Storage Units

Used to store data permanently, not directly accessible by CPU
- Magnetic Disk: metal/plastic coated with magnetic material, rotates at high speed; divided into tracks and sectors
  - Hard Disk: large, fixed
  - Floppy Disk: small, movable
- Magnetic Tape: plastic film coated with magnetic material; used to store large volumes of data in mainframe computers
- Compact Disks (CD/ROM): plastic surface with reflective material, laser beam used to write/read, can store up to 600 MB
- Flash Drive/Pen Drive: data transport between systems, compact
- Memory Card: card-shaped, similar to flash drive, used to store large amounts of data; plugs into a port and easily removable

Operating System

Program running constantly to manage computer components (Kernel)
Creates an environment for other programs to operate efficiently
Goals: Convenient user experience and efficient system performance
Spooling: way to process data serially (example: printer)
Print Spooler: puts print requests in a queue and executes them sequentially

Operating System Types

Batch System: users send jobs to an operator, organized into batches, each batch runs separately
- Example: Payroll systems, bank statements
Multi-Programming System: multiple processes in memory waiting for CPU (one user). Example: Windows OS
Multi-Tasking (Time Sharing) System: allows multiple users to share CPU simultaneously
- Example: IBM VM/CMS, TSO, Windows Terminal Services
Multi-Processor System: many processors to distribute tasks, thus increase speed
Network Operating System: manages networks, resource sharing, computational speedup
Real-Time System: performs critical tasks requiring immediate execution; critical tasks need on-time execution, e.g., operating systems for surgical devices
- Types: Hard Real-Time (critical tasks must be done on time), Soft Real-Time (critical tasks can be a little late)
Examples: Scientific Experiments, Medical Imaging Systems, Industrial Control Systems, Weapon Systems, Robots, Air Traffic Control Systems

Operating System Functions

Process Management
Memory Management
File Management
Storage Management
I/O Management
Protection Management
Networking Management

Driver Programs

Introduced by hardware manufacturers, allowing operating systems to communicate with hardware.

Programming Languages

High-Level Languages: resemble natural languages, require compilers (or interpreters) for machine language conversion
- Example: Visual Basic, Java, C, etc.
Low-Level Languages: resemble machine languages, require assemblers to convert to machine language
- Example: Assembly Language

Compilers vs. Interpreters

Both translate high-level language to machine language.
Interpreters translate line-by-line.
Compilers translate the whole program in one step.
Compilers give complete error messages upfront, while interpreters give errors for each line individually.

Operating System Examples

Windows (commercial, multiple versions)
Linux (open-source, multiple variations)
Mac OS (Unix-based)
iOS (mobile, developed by Apple)
Android (mobile, based on Linux)
Other older systems: Solaris, VMS, OS/400, AIX, z/OS

Operating System History

Early systems limited to running one program at a time (1950s)
Evolved to include libraries and multiple programs (later decades)
GM created the first operating system (IBM 704, 1956)
IBM started developing and distributing operating systems in the 1960s.
Development of ON-Line System (NLS) at Stanford Research Institute was one of the first operating systems similar to today's desktop OS
Microsoft developed MS-DOS and later bought and modified QDOS.
Unix developed in mid-1960s (MIT, AT&T Bell Labs, General Electric)

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Description

Test your knowledge on computer systems and their management. This quiz covers essential topics including file system management, process management, and memory management among others. Perfect for students and professionals looking to refresh their understanding of computer architecture and software applications.