28 Questions
What is the smallest unit of storage in a computer?
Bit
How many bits make up a byte?
8 bits
What is a word in terms of computer storage?
A given computer architecture’s native unit of data
How many bytes make up a kilobyte (KB)?
1,024 bytes
In what unit are networking measurements typically given?
Bits
What is the notation for a gigabyte (GB) in terms of bytes?
1,024^3 bytes
What is the main function of an operating system?
Execute user programs and make solving user problems easier
How can the computer system be divided according to the text?
Hardware, Operating system, Application programs, Users
What is the role of the operating system for shared computers like mainframes?
Resource allocator and control program
Describe the characteristics of mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
Resource poor, optimized for usability and battery life
What is the kernel in an operating system?
The one program running at all times on the computer
How does an interrupt-driven I/O cycle work?
Interrupt transfers control to the interrupt service routine
What are the two methods for handling I/O according to the text?
After I/O starts, control returns to user program only upon I/O completion; After I/O starts, control returns to user program without waiting for I/O completion
What is the basic unit of computer storage according to the text?
The bit
Describe the structure of Hard Disk Drives (HDD).
Rigid metal or glass platters covered with magnetic recording material
What is the advantage of Non-volatile memory (NVM) devices over hard disks?
Faster, nonvolatile
What is the purpose of caching in a computer system?
Copying information into faster storage system to improve access speed.
How does Direct Memory Access (DMA) work in relation to high-speed I/O devices?
DMA allows the device controller to transfer blocks of data from buffer storage directly to main memory without CPU intervention.
What is the function of a bootstrap program in an operating system?
The bootstrap program initializes the system and loads the kernel.
How does multiprogramming help in utilizing CPU and I/O devices efficiently?
Multiprogramming ensures that CPU always has a job to execute, even when one job is waiting.
Explain the concept of multitasking (timesharing) in operating systems.
Multitasking involves frequent switching of jobs by the CPU, allowing users to interact with each job while it is running.
What is the purpose of virtual memory in a computer system?
Virtual memory allows the execution of processes not completely in physical memory.
Why is dual-mode operation important in an operating system?
Dual-mode operation allows the OS to protect itself and other system components by distinguishing between user code and kernel code.
What role does the device driver play in managing I/O operations?
The device driver provides a uniform interface between the device controller and the kernel.
How does swapping assist in executing processes in a memory-constrained system?
Swapping moves processes in and out of memory to make space for running processes.
What triggers a hardware interrupt in an operating system?
A hardware interrupt is generated by one of the devices to request CPU attention.
What does the Von Neumann architecture signify in the context of how a modern computer works?
The Von Neumann architecture represents the design where program instructions and data share the same memory space.
How does a memory layout for a multiprogrammed system differ from a single program system?
In a multiprogrammed system, memory layout involves keeping a subset of total jobs in memory and switching between them.
Study Notes
Computer Storage
- The smallest unit of storage in a computer is a bit.
- A byte is composed of 8 bits.
- A word in computer storage is a group of bytes that can be accessed and processed as a single unit.
Data Measurement
- A kilobyte (KB) is equal to 1,024 bytes.
- Networking measurements are typically given in bits per second (bps).
- A gigabyte (GB) is equal to 1,073,741,824 bytes.
Operating System
- The main function of an operating system is to manage computer hardware resources and provide common services to computer programs.
- A computer system can be divided into hardware and software components.
- The operating system plays a crucial role in managing shared computers like mainframes.
Mobile Devices
- Mobile devices like smartphones and tablets are characterized by their portability, touchscreens, and wireless connectivity.
Operating System Components
- The kernel is the core part of an operating system that manages hardware resources and provides services to applications.
- Interrupt-driven I/O cycle: the CPU executes a program, and when I/O is needed, the CPU sends a request to the I/O device, which then generates an interrupt to the CPU when the I/O operation is complete.
I/O Handling Methods
- Two methods for handling I/O: programmed I/O and interrupt-driven I/O.
Storage Devices
- The basic unit of computer storage is a bit.
- Hard Disk Drives (HDD) consist of a magnetic disk, read/write head, and motor.
- Non-volatile memory (NVM) devices have an advantage over hard disks in terms of faster access time and lower power consumption.
Cache Memory
- Caching: temporarily storing frequently accessed data in a faster memory location to reduce access time.
Input/Output Operations
- Direct Memory Access (DMA) allows high-speed I/O devices to access memory directly, reducing CPU involvement.
- A bootstrap program loads the operating system into memory during the boot process.
CPU and I/O Utilization
- Multiprogramming: running multiple programs concurrently to efficiently utilize CPU and I/O devices.
- Multitasking (timesharing): rapidly switching between multiple programs to create the illusion of simultaneous execution.
Virtual Memory
- Virtual memory provides a mechanism for using secondary storage to supplement main memory, enabling a system to run larger programs than physical memory can hold.
Operating System Modes
- Dual-mode operation: an operating system can run in either user mode or kernel mode.
Device Management
- A device driver manages I/O operations between the operating system and hardware devices.
Process Execution
- Swapping: temporarily transferring a process from main memory to secondary storage to free up memory space, enabling efficient execution of multiple processes in a memory-constrained system.
Interrupt Handling
- A hardware interrupt is triggered by an I/O device completing an operation.
Computer Architecture
- The Von Neumann architecture is a design model for modern computers, featuring a central processing unit, memory, and input/output devices.
Memory Layout
- In a multiprogrammed system, the memory layout differs from a single program system in that multiple programs coexist in memory, requiring memory management and protection mechanisms.
Learn about the computer system structure according to the Operating System Concepts 10th Edition by Silberschatz, Galvin and Gagne. Explore the four components of a computer system, including hardware that provides basic computing resources such as CPU, memory, and I/O.
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