Operating Systems Overview
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a primary function of an operating system?

  • Performing hardware repairs
  • Developing software applications
  • Managing system resources (correct)
  • Conducting user training

    • What is one common method that operating systems use to debug errors in programs?

  • Randomly restarting the program
  • Skip the execution of problematic code
  • Compiling the code faster
  • Using logs to trace errors (correct)

    • Which of the following could improve the performance of a computer?

  • Running multiple antivirus programs
  • Adding more RAM (correct)
  • Changing the display resolution
  • Increasing the size of the hard drive

    • Which structure of an operating system is designed to enhance modular design?

    <p>Layered architecture</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a disadvantage of a monolithic operating system structure?

    <p>Difficult to maintain and debug</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a function of system programs?

    <p>Application program execution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Background services that run at system startup are known as what?

    <p>Daemon processes</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of communication system programs?

    <p>To enable message sending and file transfers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of system program would you typically use to check available memory or disk space?

    <p>Status information</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of text editors in system programs?

    <p>They allow users to create and modify text files.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes program loaders?

    <p>Components that load and execute programs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do application programs typically do?

    <p>Run tasks initiated by the user.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a type of system program that formats and prints output?

    <p>Performance logging</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of a system call in an operating system?

    <p>To provide programming interfaces to system services</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which language is typically used to write system calls?

    <p>C or C++</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do most programs access system calls?

    <p>Through a high-level Application Programming Interface (API)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens when a user program needs a system service?

    <p>It executes a trap instruction to switch to kernel mode</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT one of the three common APIs mentioned for system calls?

    <p>Linux API for native programs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key difference between system calls and regular procedure calls?

    <p>System calls enter the kernel while procedure calls do not</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which component does an operating system primarily focus on to serve as a bridge between users and hardware?

    <p>System calls and service management</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What process is described when the operating system determines what the calling process wants?

    <p>Parameter inspection</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of passing the second parameter by reference during a system call?

    <p>It ensures the memory address of the buffer is accessible.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following methods is NOT commonly used for passing parameters to the operating system?

    <p>Appending parameters to the end of the system call command.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of system call is responsible for managing memory allocation?

    <p>Process control system calls.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the system call interface typically maintain?

    <p>A table indexed by the system call numbers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How are parameters typically passed when there are more parameters than available registers?

    <p>They are stored in a stack and passed as a block.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement is true regarding the relationship between APIs and system calls?

    <p>APIs manage low-level system calls, hiding most details from the user.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of communications system calls?

    <p>Sending messages to a process.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What occurs during the process of executing a system call in the operating system?

    <p>The system call interface invokes the intended system call in the kernel.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a type of system call?

    <p>Session management.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In the context of Unix-like systems, what does the fork() system call do?

    <p>It creates a new process from the existing one.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Operating System Structure

    • Operating systems provide a variety of services, including resource management, user interface, and program execution.
    • Three perspectives on an operating system: services, interface, and components.
    • Debugging methodologies and system design principles are explored.
    • Operating system creation and computer startup procedures are described.

    System Calls

    • Programming interface to OS services, typically written in C or C++.
    • Accessed by programs via Application Programming Interface (API), such as Win32 API, POSIX API, and Java API.
    • Different system call names are used depending on the OS.

    System Call Example

    • When a process requires a system service, it executes a trap instruction to transfer control to the OS.
    • Parameters are inspected by the OS to understand the process's needs.
    • The OS performs the system call and returns control to the process.

    System Call Sequence

    • System call execution involves a series of steps:
      • Parameters are prepared.
      • The corresponding library procedure is invoked.
      • The library procedure executes a trap instruction to transfer control to the OS.
      • The OS performs the system call.
      • Control is returned to the program.

    Example of System Calls

    • Copying the contents of one file to another involves multiple system calls.

    System Call Implementation

    • Each system call is typically associated with a unique number.
    • The system call interface uses a table indexed by these numbers.
    • The OS kernel is invoked by the interface to perform the intended system call.
    • Status information and return values are returned.
    • The caller doesn't need to know how the system call is implemented, only its API and expected results.
    • Run-time library functions manage most of the OS interface details.

    API – System Call – OS Relationship

    • The API defines an abstraction layer that allows programs to access OS services without delving into the OS implementation.

    System Call Parameter Passing

    • Parameters are necessary to provide specific information to the OS about the requested service.
    • Parameter passing methods include:
      • Registers: parameters are passed in registers.
      • Block/Table: parameters are stored in a block or table in memory, and the block's address is passed as a parameter.
      • Stack: parameters are placed on the stack by the program.

    Types of System Calls

    • Process control:
      • Create/terminate processes.
      • Load/execute programs.
      • Manage process attributes.
      • Synchronize and control access to shared data.
    • File Management:
      • Create, delete, open, close, read, write, and reposition files.
      • Access file attributes.
    • Device Management:
      • Request/release devices.
      • Read, write, and reposition device data.
      • Set and access device attributes.

    Types of System Calls (Cont.)

    • Information maintenance:
      • Get/set time and date.
      • Access system data.
      • Manage process, file, or device attributes.
    • Communications:
      • Create/delete communication connections.
      • Send/receive messages.
      • Create and access shared memory regions.
    • Protection:
      • Control access to resources.
      • Set and modify permissions.

    System Programs

    • Provide a convenient environment for program development and execution.
    • Categories include:
      • File manipulation
      • Status information
      • File modification
      • Programming language support
      • Program loading and execution
      • Communications
      • Background services
      • Application programs
    • Most users interact with system programs rather than directly with system calls.

    System Programs (Cont.)

    • Provide a convenient environment for program development and execution.
      • File management: operations like creation, deletion, copying, relocating, and printing files.
      • Status information: system data like date, time, memory availability, and disk space.
      • File modification: text editors for file creation and modification.
      • Programming language support: tools like compilers, assemblers, debuggers, and interpreters.
      • Program loading and execution: loaders, linkage editors, overlay loaders, and debugging systems.
      • Communications: mechanisms for communication between processes, users, and computer systems.
      • Background services: provide essential system functions during startup and shutdown.

    System Programs (Cont.)

    • Background services:
      • Launch at system boot and can run continuously or terminate when their tasks are complete.
      • Provide services such as disk checking, process scheduling, and error logging.
      • Executed in user space, not kernel space.
    • Application Programs:
      • Programs designed for specific tasks and not related to the OS.
      • Run by users and are not typically considered part of the OS.
      • Launched via commands, mouse clicks, or other input methods.

    Example: MS-DOS

    • Single-tasking operating system.
    • Shell is invoked upon system boot.
    • Program execution directly overwrites the kernel space and no new processes are created.
    • Program exit returns control to the shell.

    Example: FreeBSD

    • A Unix variant with multitasking capabilities.
    • Users log in, execute a shell, and fork() system call to create a new process.
    • The exec() system call loads the program into the process.
    • The shell either waits for the process to terminate or continues executing commands.
    • Process exit codes indicate success or failure.

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    Related Documents

    Module 2 Lesson 2 - System Calls & Programs PDF

    Description

    Explore the essential concepts of operating system structure, including services, interfaces, and system calls. This quiz delves into debugging methodologies and the program execution processes through system calls. Test your understanding of how operating systems manage resources and handle user interactions.

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