Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does the term Operating System mean?
What does the term Operating System mean?
An operating system is a program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware.
Which of the following is NOT a goal of an operating system?
Which of the following is NOT a goal of an operating system?
A computer system can be divided into four components: Hardware, Operating System, Application Programs, and __________.
A computer system can be divided into four components: Hardware, Operating System, Application Programs, and __________.
Users
An operating system is the only program running at all times on a computer.
An operating system is the only program running at all times on a computer.
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common function of interrupts in computer systems?
What is a common function of interrupts in computer systems?
Signup and view all the answers
What do users typically want from an operating system?
What do users typically want from an operating system?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following components with their roles:
Match the following components with their roles:
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term Operating System mean?
What does the term Operating System mean?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following components is not part of the computer system structure?
Which of the following components is not part of the computer system structure?
Signup and view all the answers
Operating systems are only present in personal computers.
Operating systems are only present in personal computers.
Signup and view all the answers
The CPU, memory, and I/O devices are categorized under ______.
The CPU, memory, and I/O devices are categorized under ______.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the goals of an operating system?
What are the goals of an operating system?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a function of an operating system?
Which of the following is NOT a function of an operating system?
Signup and view all the answers
What is meant by kernel mode?
What is meant by kernel mode?
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following computing environments with their characteristics:
Match the following computing environments with their characteristics:
Signup and view all the answers
What is a definition of the kernel in an operating system?
What is a definition of the kernel in an operating system?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
What Operating Systems Do
- An operating system (OS) acts as a middleman between a user and the computer's hardware.
- OS goals:
- Make tasks easier for the user
- Improve user experience
- Ensure efficient use of hardware resources
Computer System Structure
- A computer system is composed of four main parts:
- Hardware: Provides fundamental computing resources, including the CPU, memory, and I/O devices.
- Operating System: Controls and manages hardware access for various applications and users.
- Application Programs: Utilize system resources to address user computing problems.
- Users: Individuals, machines, or other computers interacting with the system.
### Computer-System Organization
- A computer system's operation involves one or more CPUs and device controllers connected via a bus.
- The bus allows for shared memory access.
- CPUs and devices concurrently compete for memory cycles.
### Computer-System Operation
- I/O devices and the CPU can work simultaneously.
- Each device controller manages a specific device type.
- Device controllers have their own local buffer for data storage.
- Each controller has a device driver within the OS for management.
- The CPU transfers data between main memory and local buffers.
- I/O operations involve moving data between the device and the controller's buffer.
- After completing an I/O operation, the device controller informs the CPU by generating an interrupt.
### Common Functions of Interrupts
- An interrupt causes a transfer of control to the appropriate interrupt service routine, usually facilitated by the interrupt vector which contains the addresses of all the service routines.
- The interrupt architecture saves the address of the interrupted instruction.
- An interrupt is an event that alters the normal flow of execution, requiring immediate attention.
What Operating Systems Do
- Operating systems (OS) are programs that act as intermediaries between users and computer hardware.
- Goals of OS:
- Execute user programs and make problem-solving easier.
- Make computer systems convenient to use.
- Utilize hardware efficiently.
Computer System Structure
- Computer systems are divided into four main components:
- Hardware: Provides basic computing resources (CPU, memory, I/O devices).
- Operating system: Coordinates and manages hardware use among applications and users.
- Application programs: Utilize system resources to solve user computing problems (word processors, compilers, web browsers).
- Users: People, machines, or other computers.
Operating System Operations
- Operating systems are resource allocators and control programs in shared computer systems (mainframes, minicomputers) to ensure efficient hardware utilization and manage program execution for multiple users.
- Dedicated systems (workstations) provide dedicated resources, but often access shared resources from servers.
- Mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) prioritize usability and battery life with optimized user interfaces (touch screens, voice recognition).
- Embedded computers in devices and automobiles are optimized for specific tasks and often operate without user intervention.
Defining Operating Systems
- The term "operating system" encompasses a wide range of roles due to diverse system designs and applications.
- Operating systems are present in various devices, including toasters, ships, spacecraft, game machines, TVs, and industrial control systems.
- Their origins stem from the need for resource management and program control in early military computers.
Operating System Definition
- No universally agreed upon definition exists for "operating system."
- "Everything a vendor ships when you order an operating system" is a common approximation.
- The kernel is the core part of an operating system, running continuously on the computer.
- Other programs are classified as either:
- System programs: Shipped with the OS but not part of the kernel.
- Application programs: Programs not associated with the OS.
- Modern OSes for general-purpose and mobile computing include middleware, software frameworks providing additional services (databases, multimedia, graphics).
Computer System Organization
- Computer system operation involves one or more CPUs and device controllers connected through a common bus providing access to shared memory.
- CPUs and devices compete for memory cycles during concurrent execution.
Computer System Operation
- I/O devices and the CPU can execute concurrently.
- Each device controller is responsible for a specific device type.
- Each device controller has a local buffer.
- Each device controller type has an operating system device driver to manage it.
- The CPU moves data between main memory and local buffers.
- I/O operations flow from devices to the controller's local buffer.
- Device controllers notify the CPU of operation completion by generating an interrupt.
Common Functions of Interrupts
- An interrupt transfers control to the interrupt service routine, typically through the interrupt vector—a table containing addresses of relevant routines.
- The interrupt architecture saves the address of the interrupted instruction.
- A timer (clock) generates interrupts at regular intervals, enabling the OS to perform accounting, scheduling, and other system functions.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz provides insights into the functions and structure of operating systems. It covers the goals of operating systems, the components of a computer system, and how they work together to enhance user experience and resource management. Test your understanding of these essential concepts in computer science!