Operating System Unit 1: Introduction Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the main role of an operating system?

Interpret machine language
Compile source code
Execute specific programs
Manage and control system resources (correct)

During the era of Serial Processing in early computers, what was the direct interaction between programmers and computer hardware like?

Use of high-level languages
Programming in machine language (correct)
Interacting via an operating system
Utilizing graphical interfaces

What major problems were encountered in early computers due to the lack of an operating system?

Resource overutilization
Network congestion
Scheduling and setup time issues (correct)
Hardware failure

How did early systems handle scheduling of computer time slots?

Manual reservation via a signup sheet (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the challenges associated with the 'Set up time' phase in early computers?

Loading and linking object programs (B) Signup and view all the answers

What differentiated early computers known as bare machines from modern systems?

Lack of an operating system (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of time sharing or multitasking?

To allow multiple users to interact with the system at the same time (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the key difference between multitasking and multiprogramming?

Multitasking provides each user with a small portion of CPU time (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is time sharing referred to as time sharing?

Because processor time is divided among multiple users (D) Signup and view all the answers

In multitasking systems, what does CPU scheduling and multiprogramming help achieve?

Preventing system deadlock situations (B) Signup and view all the answers

What type of operating system uses multiple central processors for serving real-time applications and multiple users?

Distributed operating system (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is multitasking considered more complex than multiprogramming?

It needs a mechanism for job synchronization and communication (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental goal of a computer system according to the text?

To execute system programs (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a goal of an Operating System in the text?

Developing application programs (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why does an Operating System exist according to the text?

To create usable computing systems (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'kernel' in the context of an Operating System?

The one program running on a computer at all times (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes a program that acts as a link between a user and computer hardware?

Operating System (C) Signup and view all the answers

What varies greatly across different Operating Systems according to the text?

Included features (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the major activities of an operating system with respect to program management?

Loading a program into memory (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of I/O operation in an operating system?

Performing read or write operations with files or devices (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does a process in an operating system encapsulate?

Complete execution context including code, data, registers, and OS resources (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do drivers contribute to an I/O subsystem in an operating system?

Drivers hide hardware peculiarities from users and manage communication between users and devices (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which service does an operating system provide to both users and programs?

Resource Allocation (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is process synchronization important in an operating system?

To prevent multiple processes from interfering with each other (B) Signup and view all the answers

What do processors in a distributed system use to communicate with each other?

High-speed buses (D) Signup and view all the answers

In a distributed system, what are processors referred to as?

Sites (B) Signup and view all the answers

What advantage does a distributed system provide in terms of failure?

Failure of one site doesn’t affect the others (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key goal of a distributed system regarding resources?

To make it easy for users to access remote resources (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason for sharing resources in a distributed system according to the text?

To improve economics (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the goal of transparency in a distributed system?

To reveal that resources are physically distributed (D) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Services of Operating System

Provides programs an environment to execute.
Offers users services to execute programs in a convenient manner.
Common services provided by an operating system include:
- Program execution
- I/O operations
- File System manipulation
- Communication
- Error Detection
- Resource Allocation
- Protection

Program Execution

Handles various activities from user programs to system programs.
Each activity is encapsulated as a process.
Process includes:
- Code to execute
- Data to manipulate
- Registers
- OS resources in use
Major activities of an operating system with respect to program management include:
- Loading a program into memory.
- Executing the program.
- Handling program's execution.
- Providing a mechanism for process synchronization.
- Providing a mechanism for process communication.
- Providing a mechanism for deadlock handling.

I/O Operation

I/O subsystem consists of I/O devices and their corresponding driver software.
Drivers hide the peculiarities of specific hardware devices from users.
Operating System manages communication between user and device drivers.
I/O operation refers to read or write operations with any file or specific I/O device.

Definition of Operating System

A program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware.
Goals of an Operating System include:
- Executing user programs and making solving user problems easier.
- Making the computer system convenient to use.
- Using the computer hardware in an efficient manner.

Evolution of Operating System

Serial Processing (1940s-1950s):
- Programmer interacted directly with the computer hardware.
- Machines were called "bare machines" as they didn't have an OS.
- Problems faced:
  - Scheduling
  - Set up time
Time Sharing or Multitasking (logical extension of Multiprogramming):
- Provides user interaction.
- Switching of CPU between two users is fast, giving the impression of individual use.
- CPU time is divided into different time slots depending on the number of users.
Distributed Operating System:
- Multiple central processors serve multiple real-time applications and users.
- Data processing jobs are distributed among processors.
- Advantages include:
  - Resource sharing
  - Speedup of data exchange
  - Failure of one site doesn't affect others
  - Better service to customers
  - Reduction of load on the host computer
  - Reduction of delays in data processing
- Features of Distributed Operating System:
  - Connecting users and resources
  - Transparency

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