CS3103 Operating System Chapter 1 Quiz

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What is the role of an operating system?

An OS acts as an intermediary program between application software and hardware, making the computer system convenient to use, aiding in the development of application programs, and efficiently utilizing computer hardware.

How does an operating system function as a resource allocator?

The OS manages all resources, decides among requests from different applications, and aims to make finite resources appear as infinite resources.

What are the four layers of a computer system?

The four layers of a computer system are Users, Application programs, Operating system, and Hardware.

Why is learning about operating systems important?

Understanding OS is crucial as it is a key part of a computer system, providing 'magic' in managing resources and enabling the development of high-quality programs. Signup and view all the answers

What is a Software Interrupt?

A Software Interrupt is invoked by the use of a special instruction, immediately stopping program execution and passing to the INT handler. Signup and view all the answers

When does a Software Interrupt occur?

A Software Interrupt occurs when an application program terminates or requests services from the OS. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an INT handler?

The INT handler, part of the OS, determines the action to be taken in response to the Software Interrupt. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of context switching in ISR operation?

Context switching in ISR operation allows another process to execute, especially after events like blocking or preemption. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to call the Scheduler at the end of an ISR?

Calling the Scheduler at the end of an ISR is crucial to determine the next process to execute. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of an OS developer in the programmer pyramid?

On the top Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the tradeoffs mentioned between performance and functionality in OS development?

Division of labor between HW and SW Signup and view all the answers

What skills and knowledge does learning about OS help in developing?

Complex, high-performance, reliable, and secure software Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized in learning about OS general concepts?

UNIX/UNIX-like OS Signup and view all the answers

What are some practical skills that can be learned along with studying OS?

Linux command lines Signup and view all the answers

What are three of the most common APIs discussed in the text?

Win32 API, POSIX API, Java API Signup and view all the answers

What does the system call interface maintain a table of?

Numbers associated with each system call Signup and view all the answers

What is the important principle in OS design that separates mechanism from policy?

Separation of mechanism (framework) from policy (rule) Signup and view all the answers

What were some of the goals behind the creation of Unix?

Simplicity, recyclable code, written in C Signup and view all the answers

When was the Linux kernel first released?

September 17, 1991 Signup and view all the answers

What does RTOS stand for?

Real-time operating system Signup and view all the answers

What does POSIX stand for?

Portable Operating System Interface Signup and view all the answers

What is a virtual machine (VM)?

The virtualization/emulation of a computer system Signup and view all the answers

What is one purpose of using a virtual machine?

To provide a platform-independent programming environment Signup and view all the answers

What is an RTOS mainly used for?

Real-time applications Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a Scheduler in an operating system?

Selecting the next jobs to be admitted into the system and the next process to run. Signup and view all the answers

How does a Timer prevent a program from running indefinitely?

By generating a software interrupt when the timer expires. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Memory Management in an operating system?

To optimize CPU utilization and computer response to users. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the function of a File System in an operating system.

To provide a uniform, logical view of information storage and manage files and directories. Signup and view all the answers

Why is proper Storage Management important in an operating system?

It impacts the speed of computer operation, especially the disk subsystem. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between Multiprogramming and Multitasking?

Multiprogramming allows multiple jobs in memory but only one running, while Multitasking switches jobs frequently for interactive computing. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the concept of a Process in an operating system.

A process is a program in execution, requiring resources like CPU, memory, and I/O. Signup and view all the answers

Differentiate between a Thread and a Process.

Threads share resources within a process, while processes do not share resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of User Mode and Kernel Mode in operating systems?

It allows the OS to protect itself by distinguishing between user mode and kernel mode. Signup and view all the answers

Explain the role of a Kernel in an operating system.

The kernel manages computer and hardware operations, including memory and CPU time. Signup and view all the answers