Chapter 8 - Types of operating system

Question 1

What is a multi-tasking operating system?

Answer 1

» Can run multiple programs simultaneously seemlingly.
» Done by time slicing, where each active program is scheduled to receieve a tiny time slice in quick rotation

Question 2

What is a multi-user operating system?

Answer 2

» Allows multiple user to use a system and its resources simultaneously
» Are large, and able to serve large number of orgainsations that use these systems
» Each user gets a slice of processor time according to its scheduling algorithm

Question 3

What is a distributed operating system?

Answer 3

» Allows multiple computers to work together on a single task
» Allowing the load to be spread across multiple computer processors
» Form of parallel processing

Question 4

What are embedded operating systems?

Answer 4

» Designed to run on emebedded systems rather then on general purpose systems
» Has minimial harware and limited amount of RAM
» Consume less power then typical OS, limited in their functionality

Question 5

What are embedded operating systems?

Answer 5

» Designed to run on emebedded systems rather then on general purpose systems
» Run on dedicated hardware to maximise efficiency
» Consume less power then typical OS, limited in their functionality

Question 6

What is a real-time operating system

Answer 6

» System gives a response withing a guaranteed time grame

Question 7

Why would a firm use a real time operating system?

Answer 7

» Needs to be able to respond instantly to changes
» CONTEXT

Question 8

What does the BIOS stand for?

Answer 8

» Basic Input Output System

Question 9

What are the 2 main functions of the BIOS?

Answer 9

» Initalise and test the hardware
» Load operting system into RAM

Question 10

Why is the BIOS stored in ROM?

Answer 10

» Quick to start up
» Cannot be altered

Question 11

What is POST?

Answer 11

» Power on self test
» Ensures that all hardware are connect and functional

Question 12

What is the boostrap/bootloader?

Answer 12

» Is the name given to the program that loads the operating system from the hard disk into main memory

Question 13

What is one difference between a single-user and a multi-user operating system?

Answer 13

» A single user-operating system allows one user to execute programs at a time
» Multi user operating system allows multiple users to execute programs simultaneously

Question 14

What iss a device driver?

2 marks

Answer 14

» A program/software that controls a specific hardware
» Provides an interafce/bridge between the device and operating system

Question 15

What does the device driver allow the operating system to do?

Answer 15

» To communicate with the connected device

Question 16

What is a virtual machine?

Answer 16

» A theoretical computer in that is a software implementation of a computer system, can be used instead of a physical system

Question 17

What are benefits of using a virutal machine?

Answer 17

» Saves time and money
» Protection from malware - as it will only affect the virtual machine
» Running incompatible software

Question 18

What is intermediate code?

Answer 18

» Akin to machine code, cannot be read by the CPU, but it is a representation of a program
» Virtual machine is used to read the code instead of the CPU