Operating Systems: Crash Course 18 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is an Operating System (OS)?

A type of hardware

System software that provides an interface between the user or application program and the computer hardware (correct)

A database management system

A programming language

What is batch processing?

A method where computers automatically process batches of tasks without manual input.

Peripherals are part of the central processing unit (CPU).

False

What is a device driver?

A software program that enables communication between the computer and external devices. Signup and view all the answers

What does I/O stand for?

Input and Output. Signup and view all the answers

What was the Atlas Supervisor?

A program that managed resource allocation on Manchester University's Super Computer. Signup and view all the answers

What is the challenge with multiple programs running simultaneously?

Each program requires memory without losing its data when switching. Signup and view all the answers

What is Virtual Memory?

Space on a storage device that simulates random access memory. Signup and view all the answers

What is dynamic memory allocation?

Allocating memory during runtime. Signup and view all the answers

What is Memory Protection?

A method to prevent one process from affecting another's data. Signup and view all the answers

What is Time-sharing?

A system where individual users utilize small fractions of the computer's resources. Signup and view all the answers

Who conceived the Unix operating system?

Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie. Signup and view all the answers

What is the kernel?

The core functionality of an operating system, handling memory management and multitasking. Signup and view all the answers

What is kernel panic?

An unrecoverable error in Linux or OS X. Signup and view all the answers

What is MS-DOS?

Microsoft's Disk Operating System, which was 160 kilobytes in size. Signup and view all the answers

The blue screen of death is an error condition in which a PC 'freezes.'

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Operating System (OS)

System software that acts as an intermediary between users or application programs and computer hardware.

Batch Processing

Automates the execution of a series of programs by loading them in batches instead of manual intervention between each.

Peripherals

Devices not part of the central processing unit (CPU) including input devices, output devices, and secondary storage devices.

Device Driver

A software program that provides critical instructions enabling communication between the computer and external devices like scanners.

I/O

Represents input and output operations essential for data processing within an operating system.

Atlas Supervisor

Program that managed resource allocation for Manchester University's Super Computer, enabling concurrent processing of multiple tasks and user programs.

Memory Allocation Challenge

Each program requires its own memory block to maintain data integrity during multitasking, preventing data loss when switching between programs.

Virtual Memory

Utilizes hard disk space to mimic the functionality of random access memory (RAM), allowing more applications to run concurrently.

Dynamic Memory Allocation

Memory is allocated during the execution of a program, providing flexibility in resource usage.

Memory Protection

Mechanism that ensures one process does not compromise the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of another process's data.

System in which multiple users can access a computer simultaneously, each utilizing a small fraction of the resources like processor time and memory.

Unix

An operating system developed in 1969 by Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie at AT&T's Bell Labs, known for its multitasking and multi-user capabilities.

Kernel

Core component of the Unix operating system responsible for fundamental functions such as memory management, multitasking, and input/output operations.

Kernel Panic

A critical error in Linux or OS X that prevents the system from recovering, akin to a blue screen of death in Windows systems.

MS-DOS

Microsoft's Disk Operating System, which was compact at just 160 kilobytes, capable of fitting onto a single disk, but lacked features like multitasking and memory protection.

Blue Screen of Death

Error state on PCs where the system freezes, historically presented as a blue screen resulting in a mandatory restart to resolve the issue.

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Description

Test your knowledge on operating systems with these flashcards from Crash Course Computer Science Episode 18. Cover essential terms and definitions that illustrate how operating systems interact with hardware and manage processes. Perfect for students seeking to strengthen their understanding of this critical software component.