Chapt. 2 Operation System

Question 1

An operating system is:

Answer 1

An operating system is a set of programs that acts as an interface between the applications that are running on a computer and the computer’s hardware. Operating systems perform actions such as:

• Receiving user input from input hardware devices such as the keyboard or mouse
• Sending user output to output hardware devices such as the monitor or a printer
• Controlling the use of processing devices by applications
• Serving as a platform for applications
• Moderating hardware
• Providing security
• Managing the file system

Question 2

What is multiprocessing:

Answer 2

• Multiprocessing is the ability to use multiple processing devices.

Question 3

What is Multitasking

Answer 3

• Multitasking is the ability to run multiple applications simultaneously. Two common variations are:
  
  • Cooperative multitasking means that multiple processes must work together for the operating system to work effectively.
  • Preemptive multitasking forces applications to share the CPU.

Question 4

What is Multithreading:

Answer 4

• Multithreading is the ability to run multiple parts of an application simultaneously.
  The following table explains important operating system components.

Question 5

Multiprocessing

Answer 5

The ability to use multiple processing devices.

Question 6

Multitasking

Answer 6

The ability to run multiple applications simultaneously.

Question 7

Multithreading

Answer 7

The ability to run multiple parts of an application simultaneously.

Question 8

Kernel

Answer 8

The kernel is the core of the operating system that is loaded into memory when the system boots up. It is responsible for controlling security, managing the file system, and providing a platform for applications to run on. The user rarely interacts directly with the kernel.

Question 9

Driver

Answer 9

A type of computer program that enables the operating system to interact with hardware devices.

Question 10

Utilities

Answer 10

The features or programs included with an operating system that perform system-related tasks.

Question 11

Application

Answer 11

A subclass computer program that is designed for end users. Examples are database, spreadsheet, and word processing programs. Applications frequently come in suites.

Question 12

An interface

Answer 12

An interface is what allows the user to interact with the kernel and the utilities. There are two main types of interfaces, command line and GUI. In command line interfaces, commands are executed through instructions written into a command line. Examples of command line-based interfaces are MS-DOS and aspects of Linux. In a Graphical User Interface (GUI), the user executes commands by clicking on graphics and symbols. Windows is an example of graphical user interface.

Question 13

What are the OS components?

Answer 13

• The Kernel:
• Utilities:
• Interfaces:
  There are two types of interfaces, the command line and Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Question 14

What is the core of the operating system that is loaded into memory when the system boots up? It is responsible for controlling security, managing the file system

Answer 14

The kernel

Question 15

What type of computer program that enables the operating system to interact with hardware devices?

Answer 15

A driver

Question 16

What allows the user to interact with the kernel and the utilities?

Answer 16

An interface

Question 17

What are two main types of interfaces?

Answer 17

Command line and GUI.

In command line interfaces, commands are executed through instructions written into a command line. Examples of command line-based interfaces are MS-DOS and aspects of Linux.

In a Graphical User Interface (GUI), the user executes commands by clicking on graphics and symbols. Windows is an example of graphical user interface.

Question 18

What are the features or programs included with an operating system that perform system-related tasks?

Answer 18

Utilities

Common Windows utilities are Control Panel and This PC. Common Linux utilities are cd, cp, grep, and Is.

Question 19

What is a subclass computer program that is designed for end users.

Answer 19

An application

Examples are database, spreadsheet, and word processing programs. Applications frequently come in suites

Question 20

What is the working surface that contains icons that access programs, files, applications, and file systems?

Answer 20

The desktop

The desktop is what is seen when all programs and open folders are minimized. Installing an application often adds an icon to the desktop.

Question 21

In Windows 7 and 10, What is the easiest way to access the most useful things on your computer.

Answer 21

The Start

• The list of programs in the Start is divided by a separator line into two sections, pinned default programs and the most used programs.
  
  • The Start can be customized for each user.
  • The Start’s appearance is different with each Windows version.

Question 22

What is the bar displayed at the bottom of a Windows desktop (although its position can be changed).

Answer 22

The taskbar

The taskbar:
• Contains icons that represent each program or application currently running or pinned to the taskbar for quick access. You launch a pinned program by selecting the icon on the taskbar.
• Can be configured to display different types of toolbars. For instance, Quick Launch is a toolbar that contains shortcuts to designated programs.

Question 23

What is a part of the taskbar located on the right side of the taskbar.

Answer 23

The notification area

The notification area:
• Displays the time and date.
• Displays icons that represent the applications and processes running behind the scenes on your computer, such as audio volume and security programs.
• Displays connectivity to the internet or a workgroup.

Question 24

What is Windows Explorer?

Answer 24

is a graphical user interface (GUI) for viewing and managing the file system.

Question 25

What is a compilation of various utilities that change how a computer looks and behaves?

Answer 25

Control Panel

Use the Control Panel to configure settings for hardware devices, manage printers and networks, configure personal settings, and manage the system.

Question 26

What is a set of features that improves the visual appearance of Windows?

Answer 26

Aero

Aero is a set of features that improves the visual appearance of Windows. Features of Aero include:
• Glass effects on window borders that make borders semi-transparent (translucent). You can view objects behind windows through the window borders.
• Window animations when windows are opened or closed.
• Taskbar thumbnails that show the contents of an open window when you move the mouse over items on the taskbar.
• Windows Flip shows thumbnails of running programs when you use the Alt + Tab keys to switch between running programs.
• Aero Flip 3D is activated with the + Tab key and shows an expanded 3D view of running programs.
• The Show Desktop button (on the right side of the taskbar) hides all open windows. Hovering over the button makes the content of all open windows disappear (called Peek).
• Snap is a new feature that maximizes a window as you drag its border to the edge of the screen. Snapping multiple windows on the screen tiles them side-by-side. In Windows 10, Snap is limited to four apps on the desktop and two apps on a tablet.
• Shake lets you hide all but the current window. Select the top window border and shake the mouse to hide or unhide all other open windows.
Aero is not available in the Windows 7 Home Basic version. In addition, features depend on the graphics card in the system.

Question 27

What is a feature to help you find documents on your computer?

Answer 27

Search

Search is a feature to help you find documents on your computer.
• Windows includes a new indexing service that catalogs objects and files on your computer to improve the speed of searches on your computer. The search is typically fast because it does not search the complete hard drive but, instead, searches the index.
• Instant Search provides a box for typing keywords and phrases. As you type, matching results are displayed. Instant Search boxes are available on the taskbar and in other applications such as Internet Explorer, Photo Gallery, and Media Player.
• Custom properties are tags or descriptions that you can add to files as attributes that can be easily searched or indexed.
• Search Folders lets you save a search as a folder. When you open the folder again, the search is performed, and the results are displayed

Question 28

What is a feature that helps minimize the dangers of unwanted actions or unintended software installations.

Answer 28

User Account Control (UAC)

• UAC differentiates between standard user privileges and administrative privileges.
• Icons next to some tasks identify tasks that require administrative privileges. In addition, performing other tasks, such as installing applications or hardware devices, require administrative privileges.
• If standard user privileges are not sufficient to perform a task, the system requests privilege elevation.
◦ If you are logged on as a standard user, you are prompted to supply the username and password for an administrator user.
◦ If you are logged on as an administrator, you are prompted for permission before the action is performed.

Question 29

Features new to Windows 10 include:

Answer 29

• Customizable Start lets you organize your apps and shortcuts.
• Microsoft Store allows you to purchase music, videos, games, and apps
• Cortana provides you with a personal assistant for web searching. This feature is only available in the United States, United Kingdom, China, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain. This feature is hardware-dependent.
• Microsoft Edge lets you write and highlight web pages in the Edge web browser. This feature is hardware-dependent.
• Windows Hello uses face and fingerprint sign in. This feature is hardware-dependent.
• Photos app organizes photos and videos in one location.
• Cloud storage provides integrated access to OneDrive, which provides free storage space in the cloud.
• Continuum allows you to switch between PC, tablet, and phones modes. This feature is hardware-dependent.