Hardware and OS Concepts Flashcards

1
Q

What is an Operating System (OS)?

A

software that controls a computer’s core functions and allows interaction with computer programs.

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2
Q

What are the two main functions of an OS?

A
  • Abstract Interface
  • Resource Manager
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3
Q

What is a Processor?

A

The brain of a computer.

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4
Q

What does a Program Counter (PC) point to?

A

The next Instruction.

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5
Q

What does the stack pointer (SP) point to?

A

The top of the current stack.

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6
Q

What is the difference between Kernel mode and User mode?

A

KM executes any instruction in the instruction set, while UM only executes a subset of instructions.

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7
Q

A request by a user program to the OS to perform a task on its behalf, via software, is called …….

A

System Call

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8
Q

What are the steps for an interrupt?

A
  1. state of process is saved
  2. CPU switches to kernel mode
  3. Find the interrupt handler in the interrupt vector table (IVT)
  4. Execute interrupt handler
  5. Control of CPU returned to the process.
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9
Q

What are the 2 sections of memory?

A
  • Code (typically static)
  • Data (volatile)
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10
Q

When it comes to memory what is a base ?

A

start location

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11
Q

When it comes to memory what is a limit?

A

The range of legal memory address the proces can access.

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12
Q

A chip or set of chips that accepts commands from OS is called a …..

A

controller

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13
Q

The software that “talks” to the controller is called a …..

A

device driver

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14
Q

What are 3 ways to invoke device actions?

A
  • busy wait
  • DMA
  • interrupt
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15
Q

Busy Wait is when you……..

A

execute a kernel level system call, and the wait ties up processor.

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16
Q

What does DMA stand for?

A

Direct Memory Access

17
Q

What Does a DMA do?

A

allows device to write directly to memory once rules are established.