Introduction to Operating Systems

12 Questions

What is one of the activities the operating system is responsible for in connection with process management?

Process Synchronization

Which generation of operating systems introduced features like Multiprocessing, Multiprogramming, Real-time processing, and Virtual memory?

3rd Generation

What does the Protection component of an operating system involve?

Controlling access to system resources

What was a key feature of 2nd Generation operating systems?

Batch Processing

Which feature characterizes a 5th Generation operating system?

Multimode System

What is one of the responsibilities of the Error Detection & Handling component in an operating system?

Constantly being aware of possible errors

What is the main purpose of an operating system?

To provide a convenient environment for users to execute programs

Which of the following is NOT one of the four components of a computer system as described in the text?

Network

What is the primary role of the operating system as a service provider?

To provide an environment for users to execute programs

Which of the following is NOT a key support function performed by the operating system routines?

Performing complex mathematical calculations

What is the primary goal of an operating system according to the text?

To use the computer hardware efficiently

What is the primary role of the operating system as a resource manager?

To allocate resources requested by specific programs and users fairly and efficiently

Study Notes

Operating System Components

An Operating System (OS) acts as an intermediary between the user and computer hardware.
The OS is a set of software routines that sit between the application program and hardware.
The OS performs key support functions such as:
- Communicating with peripheral devices
- Accepting and carrying out user commands (e.g., loading a program, copying a file, creating a directory)

Four Components of Computer System

Hardware: provides basic computing resources (CPU, Memory, I/O Devices)
Application Program: defines the ways in which resources are used to solve computing problems (e.g., compilers, database systems, games, business programs)
Users: the people and machines that solve problems using various application programs
Operating System: controls and coordinates the use of hardware among various application programs and users

Purpose and Goals of Operating System

To provide an environment in which a user can execute programs
To make computer systems convenient to use
To use computer hardware efficiently

Functions of Operating System

As a Service Provider: provides an environment for programs to execute
As a Resource Manager: manages and allocates resources (e.g., CPU, Memory, I/O Devices)

Resource Management

Creation and deletion of user and system processes
Suspension and resumption of processes
Provision of mechanisms for:
- Process synchronization
- Process communication
- Deadlock handling

I/O Manager

Involves file and I/O devices

File Manager

Manipulation of data
Execution of data
Recovery and archiving

Protection and Security

Ensures controlled access to system resources
Includes security measures, such as password authentication

Accounting

Keeps track of resources and their usage

Error Detection and Handling

Constantly monitors for possible errors

History of Operating Systems

0th Generation: No OS, machines controlled through hard-wired punch cards (1950s)
1st Generation: Simple OS, batch processing, stored programs (1950s)
2nd Generation: Multi-using, simultaneous program storage, resource sharing (1960s)
3rd Generation: Multiprocessing, multiprogramming, time-sharing, real-time processing, virtual memory (1960s)
4th Generation: Networking systems, distributed OS, open systems (1970s-1980s)
5th Generation: Multimode systems, high-resolution, speech synthesis, computer vision, open systems (1980s)