Operating Systems and Administration - Chapter 1
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What is the primary role of an operating system in a computer system?

  • To act as an intermediary between the user and hardware (correct)
  • To execute application software efficiently
  • To perform all computational tasks
  • To manage hardware resources exclusively
  • How does system software differ from application software?

  • Application software is dedicated to hardware management, whereas system software deals with user interaction
  • System software interacts directly with users, while application software does not
  • There is no significant difference between the two types of software
  • System software serves as a platform for running programs while application software performs specific tasks (correct)
  • What concept allows multiple programs to run simultaneously in an operating system?

  • Resource abstraction
  • Context switching
  • Multitasking
  • Multiprogramming (correct)
  • What major takeaway is emphasized about application programs in relation to operating systems?

    <p>They hold the actual value for the user who purchases the computer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it beneficial to study operating systems?

    <p>To gain insight into efficient code writing and system usage</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of an operating system in relation to resources?

    <p>To manage resources and create resource abstractions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes resource abstraction?

    <p>It hides the tasks needed to manage and use resources.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a typical example of resource abstraction in action?

    <p>Writing a file to disk</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does resource abstraction limit flexibility?

    <p>It simplifies certain operations while making others impossible.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one primary function of system software?

    <p>Allows human users to interact with the computer</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an example of system software?

    <p>Web browser</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the hierarchy of software, which category is more abstract than application software?

    <p>System software</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role does the OS play in the software hierarchy?

    <p>It provides an interface between application software and hardware</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the relationship between system software and application software?

    <p>System software provides a foundation for application software to run</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of software is responsible for managing computer resources?

    <p>System Software</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of libraries within system software?

    <p>To provide reusable code for applications</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which function is part of an OS interface?

    <p>Read-disk</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does multiprogramming primarily enable in a computing environment?

    <p>It enables the sharing of the CPU among multiple runnable processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of resource sharing allows each unit to be allocated to different processes?

    <p>Space-multiplexed sharing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of resource sharing, what is the main characteristic of time-multiplexed sharing?

    <p>Processes are allocated the entire resource for a limited time period.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which term describes the hierarchy of abstract resources in a computing environment?

    <p>Application interfaces with Abstract Resources, which interact with Middleware.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following functions is associated with direct control abstraction in the provided content?

    <p>write()</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What might cause a process to be blocked while using system resources?

    <p>Waiting for I/O operations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does multiprogramming increase CPU utilization?

    <p>By allowing processes to run while others are blocked</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way does a parallel car wash differ from a sequential car wash?

    <p>All tasks are completed at the same time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of a multiprogramming operating system?

    <p>It can switch between processes to manage CPU time effectively</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to a process when it is waiting for the CPU?

    <p>It may be blocked and wait for other resources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do operating system strategies play in managing processes?

    <p>They define how system resources are abstractly programmed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the execution timeline of a process illustrate?

    <p>The total execution time and resource usage efficiency</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a typical outcome of a multiprogramming approach?

    <p>Improved isolation of processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of batch processing in operating systems?

    <p>Each job is processed one at a time without human interaction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following operating systems was developed as an open-source UNIX?

    <p>Linux</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a timesharing system primarily optimize?

    <p>Interactive computing with response time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the development of UNIX?

    <p>Developed by AT&amp;T Bell Labs for simplicity and small size.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common feature of personal computer operating systems?

    <p>Integration of window-oriented operations with command-line availability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does Linux differ from traditional UNIX?

    <p>Linux has a multiuser, multitasking capability with full UNIX compatibility.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following OS strategies emphasizes optimizing resource utilization?

    <p>Batch processing that handles jobs one after another.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a defining feature of timesharing systems compared to batch systems?

    <p>They allow multiple users to interact with the system simultaneously.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following Windows OS versions introduced the object-oriented design?

    <p>Windows NT/2000</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Operating Systems and Administration - Chapter 1

    • Course code: IT2164/IT2561
    • Chapter title: Introduction to Operating Systems
    • Operating systems act as intermediaries between users and computer hardware.
    • They create an environment for users to efficiently execute programs.
    • Operating systems don't perform any useful functions by themselves.
    • Learning operating systems helps to understand how the system functions, create more efficient code and design an operating system.

    Introduction to Operating Systems

    • Objectives:
      • Define what an operating system is.
      • Describe the difference between system and application software.
      • Describe resource abstraction and resource sharing concepts.
      • Understand multiprogramming techniques.
      • Understand Operating System strategies.

    Computers and Software

    • Computer systems consist of hardware and software.
    • Software is categorized by purpose.
    • Application software enables users to perform tasks.
    • System software interacts with hardware and manages program execution. (e.g., operating systems, utility programs)

    System Software

    • System software creates two fundamental environments for human interaction with the computer.
    • Also provides tools and subassemblies used with application programs.
    • Examples: C library functions, window systems, database management systems, resource management functions and the OS itself.

    Perspectives of the Computer (Different Views)

    • End User View: Users interact with the application software.
    • Application Programmer View: Application Programmers use System Software and Hardware.
    • Operating System Programmer View: OS programmers interact with system software and hardware.

    Using the System Software (Structure)

    • The system software arranges components to provide services to application programmers.
    • Structures include: Command Line Interpreter, Loader, Compiler, Libraries, Database Management System, OS,and Hardware.

    Application Software, System Software, and the OS (Hierarchy)

    • Software components are in a hierarchical structure.
    • Application software relies on system software, which utilizes the OS to manage hardware resources and access the underlying hardware.
    • The operating system (OS) creates an interface to manage and allocate hardware efficiently.

    The OS as a Resource Manager

    • Resources: Anything required for a program to run (e.g., memory, disk space, CPU).
    • The OS manages these resources.
    • The OS creates abstractions of resources.
    • The OS manages resource sharing.

    Resource Abstraction

    • Resource abstraction means hiding the complex and detailed procedures used to manage hardware when using resources.
    • The OS provides a simplified way for programs to access and use resources.
    • Examples include: writing files to disk, displaying text/graphics, running applications.

    Disk Abstractions (Different Levels of Access)

    • Direct Control: OS programmer interacts with hardware directly (lower level).
    • Write Abstraction: User programs interact using more simplified instructions.
    • fprintf Abstraction: High level input/output interface (simplest access).

    Abstract Resources (Hierarchical Structure)

    • A hierarchy of resource access, from the user interface, through to hardware resources via the OS, with layers of intermediary software.

    Resource Sharing

    • Space Multiplexing: Dividing a resource into units allocated to different processes.
    • Time Multiplexing: Allocating a resource sequentially to multiple processes for periods of time.

    Multiprogramming

    • Technique to share the CPU between runnable processes.
    • Processes may be blocked waiting for I/O or other resources.
    • The OS switches between processes to utilize CPU time efficiently (scheduling).

    Speeding up the Car Wash (Sequential vs Parallel)

    • Sequential: One car at a time, waiting in sequence for each step (e.g., vacuum-wash-dry).
    • Parallel: Multiple cars are worked on simultaneously in multiple stages (e.g., several cars being vacuumed, washed etc. at the same time).

    Multiprogramming Performance

    • Shows how processes use the CPU and I/O.
    • Multiprogramming switches between processes to minimize wasted CPU time.

    Operating System Strategies

    • General characteristics of the OS for the programmer, depending on business and engineering requirements.

    • Examines use cases, human interaction, number of users, and response time requirements.

    • Batch processing: Jobs are submitted in batches, and the OS processes them sequentially. No interactive use.

    • Time-sharing: Multiple users interact with the system concurrently.

    Operating Systems - Examples - UNIX and Linux

    • UNIX was developed to meet the need for a simple, small, adaptable OS.
    • The UNIX operating system is command-line-oriented and easily extended.
    • Popular variants of UNIX include System V, BSD, and Solaris.
    • Linux, "an open source UNIX," was developed by Linus Torvalds as an open-source project, for use on 80386 processors. Has evolved and grown through the collaboration of many users over the internet.

    Examples of Modern OS - Windows

    • The Windows family of operating systems evolved from versions of Windows, starting with Windows 3.x.
    • Newer versions include: Windows NT, Windows 2000, XP, Vista, Windows CE, Windows Mobile (Pocket PC), Windows 95/98 & ME.
    • A heavy use of window-based interfaces and object-oriented design is typical of Windows OS.
    • Important features include command-line access (cmd.exe), file systems (FAT, NTFS) and the Win32 API (system call interface).

    Conclusion

    • Operating systems offer a critical overhead for smooth computer system function.
    • Different OSs for different purposes optimize resources without requiring user intervention.
    • Resource abstraction and sharing are key OS features.

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    Description

    This quiz covers the fundamentals of operating systems as introduced in Chapter 1. It includes definitions, differences between system and application software, and an overview of resource management concepts. Mastering these concepts is essential for understanding system functionality and enhancing coding efficiency.

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