Operating System Basics

Question 1

Why are operating systems built from portable code rather than permanent physical circuits?

Answer 1

So that they can be changed or modified without having to scrap the whole device in order to do so.

Question 2

How is an operating system like an API (application program interface)?

Answer 2

An operating system provides a stable, consistent way for applications to deal with the hardware without having to know all the details of the hardware.

Question 3

What are the six tasks of an operating system?

Answer 3

processor management
memory management
device management
storage management
application interface
user interface

Question 4

What is the difference between asymmetric and symmetric multi-core operating systems?

Answer 4

Asymmetric operating systems use one CPU for their own needs and divide application processes among the remaining CPUs.

Symmetric operating systems divide themselves among the various CPUs, balancing demand versus CPU availability even when the operating system itself is all that’s running.

Question 5

What are the six basic parts of an operating system?

Answer 5

Task Scheduler
Memory Manager
Disk Manager
Network Manager
Other I/O Services Manager
Security Manager