Operating Systems: Computer System Overview

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Questions and Answers

Where does the processor fetch instructions from during the instruction cycle?

RAM

What is typically stored in the program counter (PC) during instruction execution?

Next instruction address

After fetching an instruction, what happens to the program counter (PC)?

It is incremented

Where is the fetched instruction loaded for interpretation by the processor?

Instruction Register (IR) Signup and view all the answers

Which stage of the basic instruction cycle involves the processor interpreting and executing instructions?

Execute Stage Signup and view all the answers

During the instruction cycle, what does the processor do after fetching an instruction?

Executes the current instruction Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of an operating system?

Manage memory and I/O devices Signup and view all the answers

Which hardware component is responsible for performing data processing functions?

Processor Signup and view all the answers

What type of memory is typically volatile?

Real Memory Signup and view all the answers

Which component stores program instructions, data, and configurations for program execution?

Main Memory Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of I/O modules in a computer system?

Move data between the computer and its external environment Signup and view all the answers

Which term is used to refer to the Central Processing Unit (CPU) that controls the operation of the computer?

Processor Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of interrupts in a processor?

To improve processor utilization Signup and view all the answers

In the example of program execution described, what does 'PC' stand for?

Program Counter Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the computer system must pause to wait for devices that are slower than it?

Processor Signup and view all the answers

What does the acronym 'IR' commonly refer to in computing systems?

Instruction Register Signup and view all the answers

Why do most I/O devices cause the processor to pause?

They are slower than the processor Signup and view all the answers

What is a common reason for implementing interrupts in a computer system?

To optimize processor efficiency Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a Timer interrupt?

To perform certain functions on a regular basis Signup and view all the answers

Which type of interrupt is generated by conditions like arithmetic overflow or division by zero?

Program Generated Signup and view all the answers

In which stage of the instruction cycle are interrupts enabled?

Interrupt Stage Signup and view all the answers

What typically generates an I/O interrupt?

Normal completion of an operation Signup and view all the answers

When does the user program interrupt handler execute?

At the point where the interrupt occurs Signup and view all the answers

Which type of interrupt is generated by a memory parity error?

Hardware failure Signup and view all the answers

What happens when an interrupt occurs during the execution of a processor's current instruction?

Processor immediately saves the remainder of the process state information. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of interrupt processing, what is the purpose of the PSW (Program Status Word)?

To define the current state of the system. Signup and view all the answers

What action does the processor take after acknowledging an interrupt?

Pushes PSW and PC onto the control stack. Signup and view all the answers

How does a processor handle multiple interrupts?

It prioritizes interrupts based on their source and processes them in order. Signup and view all the answers

What changes occur in memory and registers when an interrupt happens after instruction at location N?

Registers are restored to previous values post-interrupt. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of multiple interrupts, what scenario illustrates when another interrupt occurs while one is being processed?

Sending data to a communications line and receiving results simultaneously. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Computer System Overview

A computer system consists of three basic elements: processor, main memory, and I/O modules
The processor controls the operation of the computer and performs data processing functions
Main memory stores data and programs, is typically volatile, and its contents are lost when the computer is shut down
I/O modules move data between the computer and its external environment

Stored Program Concept

A program consists of instructions, data, and configurations that must be stored in main memory before execution
The stored program concept allows the computer to execute a program by fetching and executing instructions from memory

Instruction Execution

The instruction execution process involves two stages: fetch and execute
In the fetch stage, the processor reads an instruction from memory based on the program counter (PC)
In the execute stage, the processor interprets the instruction and performs the required action

Interrupts

Interrupts are a mechanism by which other modules may interrupt the normal sequencing of the processor
Interrupts are used to improve processor utilization, as the processor must pause to wait for I/O devices
There are four classes of interrupts: program generated, timer generated, I/O generated, and hardware failure generated

Interrupt Handling

When an interrupt occurs, the processor saves the current state of the process and transfers control to an interrupt handler
The interrupt handler processes the interrupt and returns control to the user program
Multiple interrupts can occur simultaneously, requiring the operating system to manage priorities

Fetch Stage and Execute Stage

The fetch stage retrieves an instruction from memory and loads it into the instruction register (IR)
The execute stage interprets the instruction and performs the required action

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Operating Systems: Computer System Overview

Questions and Answers

Where does the processor fetch instructions from during the instruction cycle?

What is typically stored in the program counter (PC) during instruction execution?

After fetching an instruction, what happens to the program counter (PC)?

Where is the fetched instruction loaded for interpretation by the processor?

Which stage of the basic instruction cycle involves the processor interpreting and executing instructions?

During the instruction cycle, what does the processor do after fetching an instruction?

What is the main function of an operating system?

Which hardware component is responsible for performing data processing functions?

What type of memory is typically volatile?

Which component stores program instructions, data, and configurations for program execution?

What is the primary function of I/O modules in a computer system?

Which term is used to refer to the Central Processing Unit (CPU) that controls the operation of the computer?

What is the purpose of interrupts in a processor?

In the example of program execution described, what does 'PC' stand for?

Which part of the computer system must pause to wait for devices that are slower than it?

What does the acronym 'IR' commonly refer to in computing systems?

Why do most I/O devices cause the processor to pause?

What is a common reason for implementing interrupts in a computer system?

What is the purpose of a Timer interrupt?

Which type of interrupt is generated by conditions like arithmetic overflow or division by zero?

In which stage of the instruction cycle are interrupts enabled?

What typically generates an I/O interrupt?

When does the user program interrupt handler execute?

Which type of interrupt is generated by a memory parity error?

What happens when an interrupt occurs during the execution of a processor's current instruction?

In the context of interrupt processing, what is the purpose of the PSW (Program Status Word)?

What action does the processor take after acknowledging an interrupt?

How does a processor handle multiple interrupts?

What changes occur in memory and registers when an interrupt happens after instruction at location N?

In the context of multiple interrupts, what scenario illustrates when another interrupt occurs while one is being processed?

Study Notes

Computer System Overview

Stored Program Concept

Instruction Execution

Interrupts

Interrupt Handling

Fetch Stage and Execute Stage

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