Operating Systems Chapter 1 Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the smallest convenient chunk of storage in most computers?

A word

A byte (correct)

A bit

A kilobyte

How many bytes are in a megabyte (MB) based on the binary measurement?

1,024 bytes

10³ bytes

1,000,000 bytes

1,024² bytes (correct)

Which of the following represents the general unit of data a computer executes operations in?

A byte

A kilobyte

A bit

A word (correct)

What is the relationship between a gigabyte (GB) and bytes in binary measurement?

1,024³ bytes Signup and view all the answers

Which term is used to describe a computer architecture’s native unit of data?

Word Signup and view all the answers

What allows new types of apps like augmented reality to function on mobile operating systems?

Enhanced hardware capabilities like GPS and gyroscope Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is most commonly used for intersystem communication in distributed computing?

TCP/IP Signup and view all the answers

Which network type is characterized by covering a small geographical area, such as a home or office?

Local Area Network (LAN) Signup and view all the answers

In a client-server computing model, what does a compute-server typically provide?

An interface to request various services like databases Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a peer-to-peer (P2P) network from traditional client-server networks?

There is no differentiation between clients and servers Signup and view all the answers

What must a node do to join a peer-to-peer network?

Register its service with a central lookup service or respond to service requests Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary benefit of virtualization in computing environments?

It allows multiple operating systems to run concurrently Signup and view all the answers

What is typically used in emulation when the source CPU type is different from the target type?

Emulator software Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of a network operating system?

It provides features that facilitate system communication across networks Signup and view all the answers

What is typically the slowest method of running applications when the computer language is not compiled to native code?

Interpretation Signup and view all the answers

In a virtualization environment, what does a Virtual Machine Manager (VMM) provide?

Virtualization services Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a use case for virtualization?

Running multiple operating systems for development Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of VMMs that run natively?

They can be the host operating system. Signup and view all the answers

How is cloud computing related to virtualization?

It is a logical extension that uses virtualization as a base. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the main role of an operating system?

It acts as an intermediary between the user and the computer hardware. Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary goal of operating systems?

To execute user programs and simplify problem-solving for users. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the basic components of a computer system?

Artificial intelligence algorithms Signup and view all the answers

How do users typically view the performance of an operating system?

They expect a balance of convenience, ease of use, and performance. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the bootstrap program play during computer startup?

It initializes system components and loads the operating system kernel. Signup and view all the answers

In a computer system, what is the primary purpose of device controllers?

To manage the interaction between the CPU and I/O devices. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about I/O operations is correct?

After starting an I/O operation, control does not return to the user program until completion in some cases. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a system call in the context of an operating system?

A request for the OS to grant access to system resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the operating system as a resource allocator?

To manage resources and resolve conflicting requests effectively. Signup and view all the answers

What does a device-status table contain?

Details of each I/O device including its type, address, and state. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a CPU receives an interrupt from a device controller?

The CPU acknowledges the interrupt and processes the corresponding request. Signup and view all the answers

In terms of operating system efficiency, what is typically not a user priority?

Resource utilization during application execution. Signup and view all the answers

What component of a computer system is primarily focused on executing user applications?

Application Programs Signup and view all the answers

What type of computers primarily focus on usability and battery life rather than extensive resources?

Handheld Computers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of main memory compared to secondary storage?

Main memory is directly accessible by the CPU. Signup and view all the answers

Which component determines the logical interaction between a hard disk and the computer?

The disk controller. Signup and view all the answers

What primarily distinguishes solid-state disks from traditional hard disks?

Solid-state disks are faster and nonvolatile. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of storage hierarchy, what is the role of caching?

To copy information from slower to faster storage temporarily. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following terms best describes the interface that a device driver provides?

A uniform interface between the device controller and the operating system kernel. Signup and view all the answers

Why is cache management considered an important design problem?

Caches need policies for deciding what data to keep and discard due to their limited size. Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable advantage of multiprocessor systems?

Ability to handle parallel processing more efficiently. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is generally true about secondary storage compared to main memory?

Secondary storage is typically more cost-effective for higher storage capacities. Signup and view all the answers

What technology is used in solid-state disks that allows for faster data access?

Flash memory or similar technologies. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of computing does caching primarily improve?

Data retrieval speed. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Chapter 1: Introduction to Operating Systems

Operating systems are programs that act as intermediaries between users and computer hardware.
They aim to make the system efficient, convenient, and user-friendly.
A computer system consists of four components: hardware, operating system, application programs, and users.
The operating system is responsible for managing and coordinating hardware usage between different applications and users.

Computer System Architecture

Computer systems typically have a single general-purpose processor but may also have special-purpose processors.
Multiprocessor systems, also known as parallel systems, are gaining popularity.

Storage Structure

Storage systems are organized hierarchically based on speed, cost, and volatility.
Main memory is the primary storage for the CPU, offering fast random access but is volatile.
Secondary storage, like hard disks and solid-state disks, provides nonvolatile storage with larger capacity.
Caching involves copying information from slower to faster storage temporarily.

Computing Environments

Distributed Computing: Consists of networked, possibly heterogeneous, systems.
Client-Server Computing: Leverages servers to respond to requests from client devices.
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Computing: All nodes act as both clients and servers without a central server.
Virtualization: Enables operating systems to run within other operating systems, allowing for multiple operating systems to be hosted on a single machine.

Cloud Computing

Cloud computing is a model that delivers computing resources, storage space, and applications as a service across a network.
It leverages virtualization to provide these services.

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Description

Test your understanding of the foundations of operating systems, including their role as intermediaries between users and hardware. Explore the architecture of computer systems and the hierarchy of storage structures. This quiz covers essential concepts introduced in Chapter 1.