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Questions and Answers
What is the main goal of an operating system?
What is the main goal of an operating system?
Which component of a computer system provides basic computing resources?
Which component of a computer system provides basic computing resources?
What is the distinguishing feature of handheld computers in terms of resource optimization?
What is the distinguishing feature of handheld computers in terms of resource optimization?
Which statement best describes the role of an operating system as a resource allocator?
Which statement best describes the role of an operating system as a resource allocator?
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In what way does an operating system act as a control program?
In what way does an operating system act as a control program?
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What is the primary function of the bootstrap program?
What is the primary function of the bootstrap program?
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Which of the following statements about firmware is correct?
Which of the following statements about firmware is correct?
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In a computer system's operation, which component is responsible for a particular device type?
In a computer system's operation, which component is responsible for a particular device type?
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What is the purpose of a local buffer in a device controller?
What is the purpose of a local buffer in a device controller?
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How does a device controller inform the CPU that it has finished its operation?
How does a device controller inform the CPU that it has finished its operation?
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Study Notes
Computer System Structure
- A computer system can be divided into four components: hardware, operating system, application programs, and users.
- Hardware provides basic computing resources such as CPU, memory, and I/O devices.
- Operating system controls and coordinates the use of hardware among various applications and users.
- Application programs define how system resources are used to solve computing problems for users.
- Users can be people, machines, or other computers.
Bootstrap Program
- A bootstrap program is loaded at power-up or reboot.
- It is typically stored in ROM or EPROM, known as firmware.
- The bootstrap program initializes all aspects of the system and loads the operating system kernel.
Firmware
- Firmware is a specific type of software that acts as an intermediary between software and hardware.
Computer-System Operation
- One or more CPUs and device controllers connect through a common bus providing access to shared memory.
- The CPU and devices compete for memory cycles.
- I/O devices and the CPU can execute concurrently.
- Each device controller is in charge of a particular device type and has a local buffer.
- The CPU moves data from/to main memory to/from local buffers.
- I/O is from the device to the local buffer of the controller.
- The device controller informs the CPU that it has finished its operation by causing an interrupt.
Interrupts
- Interrupts transfer control to the interrupt service routine through the interrupt vector.
- The interrupt architecture must save the address of the interrupted instruction.
- A trap or exception is a software-generated interrupt caused by an error or user request.
Operating System Goals
- Execute user programs and make solving user problems easier.
- Make the computer system convenient to use.
- Use the computer hardware in an efficient manner.
Operating System Definition
- An operating system is a resource allocator that manages all resources and decides between conflicting requests for efficient and fair resource use.
- An operating system is a control program that controls the execution of programs to prevent errors and improper use of the computer.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the components of a computer system and the goals of an operating system based on Operating System Concepts - 9th Edition. Learn about the structure of a computer system including hardware components and the role of an operating system as an intermediary between users and computer hardware.
