Operating Systems Quiz

Operating System Fundamentals

• Kernel Functionality: Core function is to manage hardware resources, serving as a bridge between applications and physical devices.

• Types of Operating Systems:

  • Examples include Windows 11 (PCs), Android (mobile devices), iOS (Apple mobile devices), Ubuntu (Linux-based PCs), and MacOS (Apple PCs).

Client vs. Server Operating Systems

• Client Operating Systems: Primarily run on end-user devices and designed for local use, focusing on user-friendly interfaces.
• Server Operating Systems: Essential for managing network resources, providing services to multiple clients over a network.

Examples of Server Operating Systems

• Key Examples: Windows Server, Ubuntu Server, Oracle Solaris.
• Importance: Designed to handle multiple requests, manage resources efficiently, and maintain stability under load.

Client Operating System Features

• Key Features: Supports user-friendly interfaces and is optimized for end-user devices, prioritizing system performance.

Process Management in Operating Systems

• Purpose: Responsible for executing and controlling processes, ensuring efficient use of CPU and system resources.

System Calls in Process Creation

• Key System Call: The 'fork' system call is crucial for creating new processes, enabling multitasking in operating systems.

File System Management

• Control Mechanism: Operating systems manage file systems through system calls and file permissions to ensure security and organization.

Command Interpreters

• Function: Interpret user-entered commands and execute corresponding operations, providing an interface for users to interact with the system.

Command-Line Interfaces

• BASH vs. CMD: BASH is utilized in Unix-like systems for command line operations, while CMD is a command-line interpreter for Windows environments.

Purpose of System Calls

• Role in OS: Facilitate communication between user-level applications and the kernel, allowing software to request necessary services.

Signals in Operating Systems

• Definition: Notifications sent to processes that inform them of events such as interrupts or errors, essential for process management.

Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Signals

• Synchronous Signals: Triggered by events within a process, while asynchronous signals originate externally, such as interrupts from hardware.

Default Signal Handlers

• Functionality: Predefined by the OS to handle specific signals in a consistent manner, ensuring standard behavior for process management.

SIGKILL Signal

• Nature: An uncatchable signal meant to forcefully terminate processes without allowing cleanup operations, ensuring immediate shutdown.