Mobile Operating System Fundamentals

Question 1

What is a Kernel?

Answer 1

A Central part of the operating system. It has complete control of the entire OS. Sits between both the hardware and software and acts as a bridge.

Question 2

Where does Kernel code operate?

Answer 2

In the Kernel Space. This is a protected space that is separated in memory.

Question 3

What is a Kext?

Answer 3

Kernel Extension. Modules which extend the capabilities of the OS kernel.

Question 4

What are system calls?

Answer 4

Interfaces where applications request services from the kernel. Since applications run in user space, they use systems calls to communicate to the kernel on their behalf.

Applications will use the OS to communicate with the kernel and it works in the reverse order to.