Operating Systems and Text Editors Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of a text editor?

To compile source code into machine code

To produce a text-based file (correct)

To manage system resources

To create graphical user interfaces

Which statement about the Windows operating system is accurate?

It has limitations that make it harder to work with. (correct)

It was designed for users who are very knowledgeable about computers.

It is open source and free to use.

It allows users to fully access OS functions without restrictions.

Why is it beneficial to stick with one text editor?

It simplifies the process of writing scripts

You will always have access to the internet

It prevents compatibility issues with all file types

You will likely develop expertise with it (correct)

What is GNU an acronym for?

GNU's Not Unix! Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of Unix-based operating systems?

They allow broad access to OS functions. Signup and view all the answers

Which command is used to invoke the GNU compiler?

gcc Signup and view all the answers

Which type of shell is the default for Linux?

bash (Bourne-again shell) Signup and view all the answers

Which command is commonly used to change directories in a shell?

cd Signup and view all the answers

What must be true about the platform to run compiled code?

It must be compiled on the same platform it runs on Signup and view all the answers

What is true about the programming language C in relation to Unix?

It is used to write the Unix OS and its device drivers. Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary function of a debugger?

To test and debug other programs Signup and view all the answers

What is one function of a shell in an operating system?

Provide a user interface for system utilities. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using a debugger?

Creating a final product directly Signup and view all the answers

Which command option in gcc allows you to specify the output file?

-o Signup and view all the answers

What command can be used to access the user manual in a Unix shell?

man Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common shell command?

execute Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the #include directive in a C program?

To include a header file Signup and view all the answers

What character is used to run the gedit editor in the background?

& Signup and view all the answers

How does the main function in C differ from the main function in JAVA?

C's main function is defined without a class. Signup and view all the answers

What is printed by the C program in the given example?

Hello world Signup and view all the answers

What data type does the main function in C return?

int Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a similarity between C and JAVA as indicated in the content?

Both require defining a class Signup and view all the answers

Which function is used to display output in C programming as shown in the example?

printf() Signup and view all the answers

What will happen if you do not use the & symbol when starting gedit from the terminal?

You must close gedit to return to the terminal. Signup and view all the answers

What command is used to compile a C source file into an executable file?

gcc -o helloWorld helloWorld.c Signup and view all the answers

How can you run the compiled helloWorld executable from the command line?

Run ./helloWorld Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a correct way to print a formatted string in C?

printf("%s", "Hello World") Signup and view all the answers

What does the command 'ls' do in the context of the command line?

Lists current directory contents Signup and view all the answers

What is one significant difference between printing in C and Java?

C cannot append integers directly to strings. Signup and view all the answers

Which command will compile and link the C file helloWorld.c in a single step?

gcc -o helloWorld helloWorld.c Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using './' before the helloWorld executable?

To specify the current directory Signup and view all the answers

In C, which of the following is used for a single line comment?

// Signup and view all the answers

What does the width parameter in printf specify?

The minimum number of spaces the output will take up Signup and view all the answers

What will the output be for the command printf("%c", 65)?

A Signup and view all the answers

How do the %g and %f format specifiers differ in their output?

%g provides the more compact representation for floating-point numbers than %f Signup and view all the answers

What will be the output of printf("%u", -256)?

4294967040 Signup and view all the answers

Which format specifier would you use to output a hexadecimal value?

%x Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the width parameter specified is too small for the given number?

The output will not be aligned Signup and view all the answers

When using printf with the %f specifier, what does the precision parameter control?

The number of digits shown after the decimal point Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct way to define a constant value for the number of days in a year in Java?

final int DAYS_IN_YEAR = 365; Signup and view all the answers

What type does the variable 'sick' represent in the C example?

char Signup and view all the answers

What will the expression '(sick && tired)' return if both 'sick' and 'tired' are set to 1 in C?

1 Signup and view all the answers

In C, how does the programming language interpret a non-zero value when using it in a conditional expression?

True Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'break' statement in a C switch case?

To terminate the switch statement Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true about the use of the '&&' operator in C?

It evaluates to 1 for true and 0 for false Signup and view all the answers

What value does 'NEWLINE' represent in both C and Java?

New line character Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about defining constants in C is correct?

Constants are defined with the '#define' preprocessor directive Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 1: Systems Programming and C Basics

Systems Programming is closely linked to the operating system.
Basic tools for use with the gcc compiler in a Linux Ubuntu environment (using VirtualBox) are explained.
Introduction to the C programming language, comparing it with Java syntax.
Simple programs demonstrating display of information, math calculations, handling random numbers, user input, arrays, and function calls are shown.

1.1 Systems Programming and Operating Systems

Applications Programming provides services directly to the user, examples include: internet browsers, word processors, games, database access programs, and spreadsheets.
Systems Programming provides services for other software or the computer system. It does not typically have a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that interacts with the user.
Examples of systems programs: Firmware (e.g., PC BIOS and UEFI), Operating Systems (e.g., Windows, Mac OSX, GNU/Linux, BSD), Game Engines (e.g., Unreal Engine 4, Unity 3D, Torque3D), Assemblers (e.g., GNU AS, NASM, FASM), Macro Processors (e.g., GNU M4), Linkers and Loaders (e.g., GNU Id which is part of GNU binutils), Compilers and Interpreters (e.g., gcc, Python, Java VM), Debuggers (e.g., gdb), Text editors (e.g., vim), Operating system shell (e.g., bash), Device Drivers (e.g., for Bluetooth, network cards).
Systems software is at a lower level than application software, often closely tied to the hardware. It uses system calls and provides efficient services to applications.

1.2 Tools for Systems Programming

Shells: Command-line user interfaces allowing access to operating system services. Examples include sh (Bourne shell), bash (Bourne-again shell), csh (C shell). Shells provide command-line shortcuts and environment variable settings. Also, shells allow programs to run with command-line arguments, options usually preceded by a dash character.
Text Editors: Programs for creating and editing text-based files, commonly used in C programming are vi/vim, emacs, and gedit.
Compilers: Software transforming source code into another programming language. In this course, the GNU compiler (GCC) will be used, which is Unix-like in design and free software.
Debuggers: Tools for testing and debugging other programs, like gdb, to control code execution, view variables and observe execution flow to find out where the program's going wrong or crashing.

1.3 Writing First C Program

Writing C programs involves creating .c files (Source Code), compiling using gcc to produce .o files (Object Files), linking with libraries to produce an executable file, and ultimately running the executable file.
Our First Program, a typical "hello world" C program is shown and explained.

1.4 C vs. Java

Similarities in syntax exist between the two, especially in their commenting features and conditional statements.
Differences include, C does not need to define the name of a class and the main() function in C returns an integer whereas in JAVA it returns void. Also, the handling of integers, objects, and strings are different, and in C the format string used with the printf function needs explicit flags to be added for each argument.

1.5 Getting User Input

C uses the scanf() function to get user input, similarly to Java's Scanner class.
To get input in C, pointers to variables are needed to specify locations in memory where input is stored (this is different from JAVA).

1.6 Functions & Procedures in C

Functions are crucial for modularizing code for easier maintenance and reusability.
Function parameters can be: Input data required by a function, Output data the function produces, Input/Output data that is both required and produced by the function.
Functions are declared and defined before they are used, and passing by value or by reference to a function parameters are possible.

1.7 Coding Conventions/Style

Variable names should begin with lowercase letters, and additional words capitalized, or using underscores.
Fixed values like PI, DAYS_IN_YEAR, INTEREST_RATE (all in uppercase letters).
Use descriptive names for variables for clarity.
Indentation style is important for code readability.

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Test your knowledge on the primary functions and characteristics of text editors and operating systems in this engaging quiz. You'll explore concepts related to Unix, GNU, and the use of various shell commands. Perfect for students studying computer science or software engineering!