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Questions and Answers
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)?
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In what unit are networking measurements typically given?
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What is the notation for a gigabyte (GB) in terms of bytes?
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What is the main function of an operating system?
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How can the computer system be divided according to the text?
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What is the role of the operating system for shared computers like mainframes?
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Describe the characteristics of mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.
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What is the kernel in an operating system?
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How does an interrupt-driven I/O cycle work?
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What are the two methods for handling I/O according to the text?
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What is the basic unit of computer storage according to the text?
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Describe the structure of Hard Disk Drives (HDD).
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What is the advantage of Non-volatile memory (NVM) devices over hard disks?
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What is the purpose of caching in a computer system?
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How does Direct Memory Access (DMA) work in relation to high-speed I/O devices?
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What is the function of a bootstrap program in an operating system?
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How does multiprogramming help in utilizing CPU and I/O devices efficiently?
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Explain the concept of multitasking (timesharing) in operating systems.
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What is the purpose of virtual memory in a computer system?
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Why is dual-mode operation important in an operating system?
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What role does the device driver play in managing I/O operations?
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How does swapping assist in executing processes in a memory-constrained system?
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What triggers a hardware interrupt in an operating system?
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What does the Von Neumann architecture signify in the context of how a modern computer works?
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How does a memory layout for a multiprogrammed system differ from a single program system?
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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.
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Description
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.