Operating Systems Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which activity is NOT typically associated with the operating system's responsibilities in mass-storage management?

Process synchronization (correct)

Partitioning

Disk scheduling

Backup file storage

What is the primary role of memory management in an operating system?

To synchronize threads within processes

To keep track of memory usage and allocate space (correct)

To schedule processes on the CPU

To store backup files onto stable media

In file-system management, which of the following is a key responsibility of the operating system?

Managing CPU scheduling

Allocating memory for processes

Creating and deleting files and directories (correct)

Handling process starvation

What does the term 'mounting' signify in the context of operating systems?

Making a file system available for use Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental process must multitasking environments ensure within the storage hierarchy?

Use the most recent value Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of caching within a computer system?

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

Which OS activity is involved in determining access permissions such as read, write, or append?

File-system management Signup and view all the answers

What essential feature must a multiprocessor environment provide in hardware?

Cache coherency Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes P2P systems from traditional client-server architectures?

P2P systems have no distinction between clients and servers. Signup and view all the answers

What is the core functionality of cloud computing?

It delivers storage and applications as a service across a network. Signup and view all the answers

Which devices are predominantly associated with embedded systems?

Car engines, manufacturing robots, and microwave ovens. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately represents a type of hardware interrupt?

Timer interrupt. Signup and view all the answers

What action is considered privileged in operating systems?

Turning off interrupts. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes real-time operating systems in embedded systems?

They process tasks with well-defined, fixed time constraints. Signup and view all the answers

What service does an operating system provide regarding program execution?

It loads a program into memory and runs it. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents a user interface variation provided by operating systems?

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the command 'ls | less' in UNIX?

The ls command serves as the producer, and its output is consumed by the less command. Signup and view all the answers

In a networked communication system, what constitutes a socket?

A combination of an IP address and a port number. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly describes the behavior of an unbounded buffer in interprocess communication (IPC)?

The sender never waits, as the buffer has no practical limit. Signup and view all the answers

What describes a blocking send and blocking receive mechanism?

Both sending and receiving processes wait for each other to complete. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes non-blocking send and non-blocking receive?

Neither the sender nor the receiver is blocked, allowing for asynchronous communication. Signup and view all the answers

In which case is the 'block method' for passing parameters used in Linux?

When there are more than five parameters. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of the six major categories of system calls?

Memory management Signup and view all the answers

Which system call category includes operations like 'create file' and 'delete file'?

File management Signup and view all the answers

What is a common model of inter-process communication that involves exchanging messages?

Message-passing model Signup and view all the answers

Which system call category deals with controlling access to resources and setting permissions?

Protection Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the 'get time or date' system call?

It retrieves the system's current time or date. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'allocate and free memory' system call?

It handles memory allocation for processes. Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage associated with NUMA architectures?

Increased latency for remote memory access Signup and view all the answers

Which method can be used to mitigate the NUMA penalty?

Employ careful CPU and memory management Signup and view all the answers

What type of system is Arduino classified as?

Single-tasking Signup and view all the answers

What key feature distinguishes multicore systems?

Multiple cores on a single chip Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective of clustered systems?

Combine multiple systems to work together Signup and view all the answers

In asymmetric clustering, what is the status of one machine?

In a hot-standby mode Signup and view all the answers

Where is the bootstrap program generally stored?

ROM or EPROM Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in a non-multiprogramming system if a process waits for an I/O operation?

The CPU remains idle Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of multitasking (time-sharing) systems?

Allow users to interact with jobs while they are running Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of using the CLI over a GUI?

It offers faster access to required tasks. Signup and view all the answers

How can repetitive tasks be managed in the CLI?

By recording command-line steps into a file. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of system calls in an operating system?

They provide a programming interface to OS services. Signup and view all the answers

Why do programmers prefer using an API over direct system calls?

APIs offer better program portability. Signup and view all the answers

How is a system call typically implemented in an operating system?

By using a unique identifier or number for each system call. Signup and view all the answers

What is one benefit of programming with APIs?

APIs ensure that a program works on any system supporting the same API. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary advantage of using block and stack methods for passing parameters to the OS?

They do not limit the number or length of parameters. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a reason to use APIs in programming?

APIs provide access to detailed hardware management. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Operating System Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Primary role of an OS: Managing computer hardware, acting as an intermediary between the user and hardware, and providing an environment for programs.
OS Goals: Executing user programs to simplify problem-solving and providing security for hardware.
Components of a Computer System Hardware, Operating System, Users. Cloud services are not a component of a computer system.
Priority for Workstations: Ease of use, performance, and security are the design priorities for laptops and PCs.
Mobile Device Optimization: Resource utilization and power efficiency are key optimizing factors for mobile operating systems.
Embedded Systems: Little or no user interface is a key characteristic of operating systems designed for embedded computers; they prioritize usability, battery life, and are frequently optimized based on the specific hardware.
Operating System Role: Acting as a resource allocator. This includes efficient use of resources like CPU time and memory.
Control Program Role: Preventing errors, providing security for the computer, as well as managing user programs efficiently.
Kernel Role: The OS program running continually that executes and controls tasks at all times in a computer.
Non-OS Program Type: Local buffer is not a type of program associated with an operating system.
CPU Controller Connection: The common bus connects CPUs and device controllers to shared memory within a computer system.
Memory and Storage: Main memory is directly accessible by the CPU and typically volatile; secondary storage (e.g., hard disk) provides large, nonvolatile storage. Tertiary storage is primarily used for storing backup copies of materials.
Caching in Storage: Copying information to faster storage methods in storage systems is called caching.
Storage Hierarchy Tradeoff: The trade-off in a storage hierarchy is between cost and speed, and size and speed.
Single-Processor Core Roles: Manages I/O devices and executes instructions; stores data locally.
Multiprocessor Systems: Characterized by multiple tightly coupled processors.
NUMA System Drawback: Increased latency in accessing remote memory.
NUMA Penalty Minimization: Careful CPU and memory management are used to minimize the penalty.
Multicore Systems: Optimized for single chips.
Asymmetric Multiprocessing: One master processor runs, with other processors performing pre-assigned tasks.
Asymmetric versus Symmetric Multiprocessing: Symmetric multiprocessing allows all processors to perform all tasks equally.
Reduced Power Usage: A major advantage of multicore systems, compared to multiple single-core chips.
Multicore System Configuration: Multicore processors appear to the operating systems as multiple standard CPUs.
Storage System Differentiation: Speed, size, and volatility are the main factors differentiating various storage systems in a hierarchy.
Caching in Storage: Storage systems copy information into faster storage systems to optimize speeds.
Operating System Functions: Handles I/O, device management, memory management, process scheduling, and protection to prevent errors and misuse.
Operating System Program Roles: The kernel manages system programs running on the computer. These programs interact with hardware and user applications.
Multitasking Systems: Allow users to interact with jobs while tasks are running and improve hardware interrupt responses.
Virtual Memory Mechanisms: Enables execution of processes that are not fully loaded into physical memory.
Multitasking System Requirements: Mechanisms for synchronization and communication between processes to prevent deadlocks.
Dual-Mode Operation: Protects the OS and system components by preventing direct access to hardware by user programs.
Kernel Mode Bit Value: A 0 (zero) in the mode bit field when in kernel mode.
Hardware Boot Mode: The hardware initiates in kernel mode at boot.
User to Kernel Mode Transition: A trap or interrupt changes the mode from the user mode to the kernel mode.
Timer Management: The operating system uses timers to ensure processes do not run indefinitely by controlling CPU execution time.
Privileged Instructions: Actions or instructions only runnable in kernel mode.
Memory Management in OS: Tracks memory usage and allocates memory space during execution.
File Management in OS: Tracks memory usage, allocates space & handles functions like file system access and permission.
File System Activities: Managing file storage, allocating space for files, and ensuring correct access permissions are key features.
Threads Feature: Lightweight processes within a process.
Multithreaded Processes: Processes with one program counter per thread, allowing concurrent execution of tasks.
File System Roles: Handles file storage, and related access rights.
Process Management Activities: Scheduling processes to utilize CPU time; allocating and managing resources for processes and creating/destroying them; ensuring synchronization for concurrent processes.
Key Responsibility of OS (File Management): Creation and deletion of files and folders.
Operating System Mass Storage Function: Partitioning operations, error handling, backup functions for data integrity and disaster recovery.
Mass Storage Management: Includes aspects like partition management, error handling, and backup capabilities.
Non-OS system Role: System utilities, like debugging functions, are needed to understand the entire hardware/software structure.
Types of System Services: Process creation, allocation of resources, file management, memory management, and networking are essential.
OS Role in Memory Management: Handles memory usage, allocates space for programs, handles process switching to free memory, etc.
Mass Storage Components: Include partitioning functions, scheduling for performance and correct interaction, and data recovery functions.
Cloud Computing Defining Characteristic: Delivering storage and applications as a service across a network.
Embedded System Environment: Found in devices like car engines, manufacturing robots, and microwave ovens. (and not necessarily for desktop computers, personal smartphones, etc.)
Hardware Interrupts for OS: Handling these interrupts is a core function of the operating system, and essential for correct response to events or situations handled by the computer hardware.
Real-Time OS Characteristics: Real-time OSes (frequently used in embedded systems) have well-defined, fixed time constraints on the tasks they run, contrasted with non-real-time OS features that do not have these limitations on execution times.
Process Execution and System Loading: Loading into memory and carrying out execution.
Program Execution Services: Includes loading the program into memory, running it, and allocating resources to complete program execution.
User Interface Specifications: Describes any user interface the system might have including command-line interfaces or graphical user interfaces.
Operating System Layer Advantages: Simplicity, easier debugging of the program.
Monolithic or Modular/Layering OS Advantages/Disadvantages: Advantages include ease of implementation; disadvantages include difficulties in debugging because of tight coupling between system components
Microkernel Operating System Characteristics: Removes non-essential parts from the kernel and places them in user-level programs.
Microkernel Advantages: Improved reliability and security because of fewer functions running within the kernel
Types of Microkernel Operating Systems: MachOS, Linux, and FreeBSD are mentioned.
UEFI versus BIOS: UEFI is a better upgrade because it handles advanced configurations regarding storage devices.
Bootstrap Roles: Load the kernel into memory and begin the operating system.
Crash Dump Files: Operating system generated files that help capture the data-related status information when a crash or critical error occurs.
Debugging Support: System utilities provide support for debugging.
Operating System Services: Includes functions for resource allocation, file management, and interprocess communication. (and others)
System Communication: Processes, especially when connected together in a network, must communicate to utilize shared resources or to receive information, etc. The method of communication varies depending on the configuration. This information is key to understanding how different processes communicate with each other.
Zero-Capacity vs. Bounded Buffers: The zero-capacity queue in IPC is different than the bounded buffer because nothing is loaded in the queue but the sender waits for the receiver to complete the task/transmission. Bounding limits the size of the queue.
Process States and Transitions: Processes transition between states like ready, running, and waiting.
Process Creation: Creating a new process involves allocating resources and assigning a unique ID. (This is important regarding system security)
Process Termination: Processes terminate by calling exit() or related system calls.
Parent and Child Processes The 'parent' process creates the 'child' process. The 'child' process is independent to the extent possible, but its behavior and tasks are affected if its parent process is affected or terminates.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the fundamental concepts of operating systems, including mass-storage management, memory management, and file-system responsibilities. This quiz covers various aspects like multitasking, caching, and system architecture. Challenge yourself and see how well you understand the workings of an operating system!