1.2.1 - operating systems (y12) Flashcards
What is an operating system (OS)?
Software that manages hardware and software resources.
Name three key OS functions.
Memory management, scheduling, I/O control.
What is memory management?
Allocates RAM to processes and keeps them separate.
What is multitasking?
Running multiple processes seemingly simultaneously.
What does the OS do with I/O devices?
Manages input and output through drivers.
What is process scheduling?
Deciding which process runs on the CPU and when.
What is the role of a scheduler?
Implements the scheduling algorithm to manage tasks.
What is round robin scheduling?
Each process is given equal time in rotation.
What is FIFO scheduling?
First-In-First-Out, processes are handled in order.
What is a real-time OS?
Responds to inputs within a guaranteed time frame.
What is interrupt handling?
Detecting and responding to interrupts.
What are system calls?
Requests made by programs to the OS for services.
What is an interrupt?
A signal to the CPU to pause the current task for a new one.
What is a kernel?
The core part of the OS managing low-level operations.
Why does the OS manage resources?
To avoid conflicts and maximise efficiency.
What is the purpose of virtual memory?
To use disk space as if it’s RAM.
What’s a paging system?
Divides memory into fixed-size pages to allocate RAM.
What is segmentation?
Dividing memory into segments based on logical divisions.
What is device management?
Managing drivers and hardware components.
What are file management tasks?
Organising, storing, and retrieving files.
How does the OS manage security?
Through user accounts, permissions, and access control.
What is a GUI?
Graphical User Interface - lets users interact visually.
What is CLI?
Command-Line Interface - text-based interaction with the OS.
Why are drivers needed?
To allow the OS to communicate with specific hardware.
