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I.T 3 & 4 > Operating System Software > Flashcards

Operating System Software Flashcards

1
Q

Why would you multi-boot? What are some advantages?

A

To have more than one OS on the same device.

Some programs may or may not be available on one OS vs the other. This would require more space to have both OS’s.

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2
Q

Why don’t all processors need an operating system?

A

Because some devices only perform one task (microwave ovens/calculators), and so the software can be stored onto the processor directly.

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3
Q

Describe the sequence of events that occurs from when a user first turns on their computer to opening up an application.

A

OS on Hard Disk -> OS is loaded onto computer memory when computer turns on -> Once main part of OS, Kernel, has control it loads the rest of OS -> BIOS loads and manages ‘boot process’ -> OS has control and BIOS translates between peripherals and OS.

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4
Q

Describe how batch processing differs from real time processing.

A

The amount of user intervention. For batch processing, much of what the user needs to do is done at the start, and can run without the need of a user when processing.
Real time on the other hand needs more user interaction.

Another difference is the output rate. For real time, this has to be a constant and specific rate, otherwise the process fails. For batch processing, this isn’t needed and as a result the speeds are quite slow.

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5
Q

What are some similarities and differences between RAM and ROM?

A

RAM is volatile memory, meaning that it doesn’t retain its memory after the PC has shutdown, ROM however is non-volatile.

RAM is much faster than ROM thanks to its bigger chip size and increased storage capacity.

They’re both types of primary storage and use memory chips.

RAM is more expensive than ROM.

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6
Q

How can you reduce the usage of virtual memory?

A

The best way to reduce this usage would be to install more physical RAM onto the computer, as this would mean less primary storage is being converted into VRAM, and therefore leading to more stability since the HDD/SSD isn’t being overloaded by being used as VRAM (reading and writing more).

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7
Q

What are some pros and cons of upgrade installation?

A

Pros:

  • Don’t have to reinstall apps and reconfigure settings.
  • Bugs on the previous version may be fixed on the newer one
  • Could lead to more stability and performance

Cons:

  • Could have more bugs and lead to instability in the system.
  • Old and new versions could mix up and not complete certain tasks properly
  • Device may be incompatible and therefore not work on the system
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8
Q

Outline interacting with an OS vs interacting with an application software.

A

When interacting with an application, the application software then communicates with the OS which will then send data to the hardware to perform a specific function/task.

When interacting with the OS directly, you’re skipping one step and your request of data goes directly to the hardware. This is most commonly done by using the GUI.

*OSS just the OS. Application is just a specific app software (specific for the task that you’re completing. The other is for the OS overall.)

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9
Q

What are the 7 main features of a GUI?

A
  1. Consistency of elements
  2. Functionality
  3. Navigation
  4. Control Elements
  5. Borders & White Space
  6. Instructions to the User
  7. Inclusive Design Factors
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10
Q

What are consistency of elements?

A

All GUI should be consistent with:

  • Colour of forms, control and text
  • Layout of controls: drop-down lists, checkboxes etc.
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11
Q

What is functionality?

A

Menus and toolbars provide access to a lot of commands. Software should be easy to use for any user. This could include having a help menu with tutorials.

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12
Q

What is navigation?

A

Is the process where you find your way to specific parts of the software’s functionality. This could include having a hierarchical menu and command structure.

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13
Q

What are control elements?

A

Include buttons, drop-down menus, palettes and text boxes. Others include sliders, tab controls and spin boxes.

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14
Q

What are borders and white space?

A

Empty space within an interface that doesn’t have any text, graphics or objects.

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15
Q

What are instructions to the user?

A

Giving users an idea of what they want to achieve and what exactly they’re doing. If a user is asked for confirmation of intentions, a warning would be present to not confuse the reader and a last chance.

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16
Q

What are inclusive design factors?

A

Takes into the account of needs for those ageing and/or with disabilities. This ensures that an interface would work for any person, instead of any able-bodied person.

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17
Q

What is swapping in a Multi-Tasking OS, and what is its purpose?

A

Swapping the same as paging, and is used in Multi Tasking OSs as a form of memory management in order to bring the data from the hard disk onto the RAM or vice versa. This is used only when the data ISN’T already in the RAM.

Where paging is moving part of a disk to primary storage, swapping is moving the entire disk.

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18
Q

What is buffering?

A

It’s an area of memory where data is stored until the CPU needs to access it.
This is seen in keyboards where the program freezes up and all of a sudden it all comes out in one flow.
Another example is with printers. The data needed to be printed is sent into a ‘spool’ where the data is accessed and can be printed.
Without a buffer, the computer wouldn’t be able to complete multiple tasks at once.

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19
Q

Compare NTFS and FAT32.

A
  • NTFS has more space than FAT32 (16TB vs 4GB)
  • NTFS has faster data transfer speeds.
  • FAT32 is more compatible, as you can use it on Linux, MacOS and Windows.
  • NTFS has allows for individual file permissions and encryption, therefore more security.
  • NTFS is able to compress files when disk space is getting low.
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20
Q

What is scheduling?

A

Scheduling is done by all operating systems and manages the state of a program (running, waiting or runnable). This saves memory overall because it isn’t wasting memory on processes that aren’t needed readily.

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21
Q

What does file fragmentation cause?

A

It causes the OS utilities and programs to take longer to load.

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22
Q

What is a feature that isn’t required for an operating system?

A

Web Interface

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23
Q

Categorise the following as batch, real time or multi tasking systems:

  1. Intranet Server
  2. Air Traffic Control System
  3. Rendering a Video File
  4. Toll Gantry on a Freeway
  5. Processing of Pay Cheques
A
  1. Multi Tasking
  2. Real Time
  3. Batch
  4. Real Time
  5. Batch
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24
Q

What are some additional pieces of software needed to support a GUI?

A

Mouse, touchscreen or touchpad.

Not a monitor because you also use that in CLI

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25
Q

What is disk partitioning?

A

Where a disk is separated into a number of segments/regions called partitions.
This allows for the OS to prioritise certain tasks and keep track of files stored in the partitions/clusters.

26
Q

If a CPU usage is high and the RAM and network isn’t being used that much, what’s the problem and how would you fix this?

A

The problem is that the computer isn’t relying enough on its primary storage, and all the pressure is going to the CPU.

You could fix this by managing the amount of programs open at once, change the priority settings or adjust settings about the virtual memory.

27
Q

What is configuring for user’s personal preferences and optimising hardware performance?

A

a) Making an OS more suited for a specific user.

b) Making it so that the OS runs to its full potential.

28
Q

What are features of an OS that used to achieve a user’s personal preferences or optimising hardware performance?

A

a) Interfaces, security

b) CPU management, memory management, peripheral management

29
Q

What’s the difference between configuring for a user’s personal preferences or optimising hardware performance?

A

User’s preferences is how it’s best suited for that user, while optimising hardware makes it run to its full potential for all users.

30
Q

What’s are examples of configuring for a user’s personal preferences or optimising hardware performance?

A

a) Changing themes, wallpapers, screensavers, keyboard layouts etc.
b) Disk defragmentation, disk cleaner, power management settings etc.

31
Q

What is the best disk boot order when you have the OS on an SSD?

A

You boot it last so that it doesn’t come across any errors and become corrupted.

32
Q

Provide an example of an effective and efficient short-term solution for ‘disk thrashing’.

A

Increase the amount of virtual memory in the computer.

33
Q

What type of system does a web page use?

A

Multi-Tasking

34
Q

What type of system does a computer file system use?

A

Batch and Multi-Tasking

35
Q

What are some of the main effects of file fragmentation?

A

File fragmentation leads to slower access to files as they are more spread out over the HDD.

36
Q

Describe the differences between Full, Incremental & Differential Backups.

A
  • Full backup is a complete copy of all files and data.
  • Incremental backup contains all the data that’s been changed since the previous backup.
  • Differential contains all the changes made since the last full/incremental backup.
37
Q

Is the kernel part of the OS?

A

Yes, it manages the computer during the startup process.

38
Q

Does the OS ensure that the computer boots properly?

A

No, this is handled by the BIOS. The BIOS is separate from the OS as it’s located on the motherboard. This handles the boot process which will then in turn load the kernel of the OS.

39
Q

Does the OS ensure that the computer boots properly?

A

No, this is handled by the BIOS. The BIOS is separate from the OS as it’s located on the motherboard. This handles the boot process which will then in turn load the kernel of the OS.

40
Q

If you have recently changed your system’s memory, what do you need to factor in when installing a new OS?

A

Ensuring that you install the 64-bit version to allow for up to 128GB of RAM to be used on the system.

41
Q

How can the boot order prevent viruses?

A

The BIOS allows the user to manage the boot order and as a result they can choose which will be the boot disk. In doing so, they can choose the medium without the virus in order to boot the OS safely.

The boot order typically has the drive with the SSD last.

42
Q

What are some advantages and disadvantages of using virtual memory?

A

+ Instant upgrade of RAM with no downtime
+ Able to have more programs open at once and have more programs open at once
+ Prevents sudden failure or crashing

  • Only a short term solution
  • Places additional stress on secondary storage drives.
  • Not as effective as physical RAM
43
Q

What are some advantages of disk partitioning?

A
  • Better file organisation
  • Use 2 OS’s in one computer
  • Easier and quicker defragmentation
44
Q

What are some disadvantages of disk partitioning?

A
  • Having too many partitions can lead to having little to no space on the regions
  • Installing larger files can be more difficult
45
Q

If CPU usage is high, but RAM and Disk are low what could be causing this problem, and what’s a possible solution?

A

If the CPU usage is high but RAM and disk are not, then it’s most likely a sign that a program has crashed and is an endless loop of processing data.

A way to solve this would be to shut the program down using task manager.

46
Q

If CPU & Disk usage are high, but RAM is low what could be causing this problem, and what’s a possible solution?

A

In this case, we could assume that the issue is due to the incorrect virtual memory settings which is causing the Disk and CPU to be processing data while the RAM isn’t being used enough.

We can solve this by modifying the virtual memory settings and lowering how much is used so that the RAM is actually used.

47
Q

Explain the backup procedures required both before and after the installation of a new OS.

A

Backup procedures required before include ensuring all files on OS currently are stored safely and ready to restore.

After the install, it’s ensuring that all files are still there and backing up any new files.

Also, check that existing software/hardware is compatible so that old files are not erased.

48
Q

‘Rotating Backup’ is a common backup strategy. Briefly describe 2 major features of this strategy.

A
  1. Different generations of backup.

2. Easier to pick out data at different points in time

49
Q

Identify the characteristics of a transaction processing system (payroll) where real time processing is more appropriate than batch processing.

A

Batch processing with something such as payroll will complete tasks in a predefined and sequential manner. On the other hand, real time has a constant input of data that relies on its reaction times rather than predefined methods.

Real time is often preferred when tasks require more problem solving or a constant input of data, such as assembly line robots and security cameras as opposed to batch.

50
Q

What are 2 methods to evaluate the installation of an OS?

A
  1. Obtain feedback from other users

2. Run diagnostic tests & run-time analysers to monitor and compare performance

51
Q

What are 2 methods to evaluate the installation of an OS?

A
  1. Obtain feedback from other users

2. Run diagnostic tests & run-time analysers to monitor and compare performance

52
Q

What type of processing does the output of a video card use?

A

Real Time

53
Q

What processing type does mouse movement in a GUI use?

A

Multi Tasking

54
Q

What processing type does a computer file system use?

A

Batch

55
Q

What processing type does connecting to a web page for the first time use?

A

Real Time

56
Q

What is a hardware device that can be used with RFID tags?

A

RFID Scanners

57
Q

What is a software/connectivity method that can be used with RFID tags?

A

Bluetooth

58
Q

SSDs are usually not defragmented because…

A

It would ‘wear out’ the drive since each location only has a limited amount of write/erase cycles.
However, the input/output rate does not change.

59
Q

How do you evaluate the operation of virutal memory?

A

It can be evaluated when the physical RAM capacity has been exceeded and you’ve had to use the virtual memory.
This could be monitored with use of diagnostic software.

60
Q

What’s an advantage of installing OS patches on an air-gapped computer?

A

May be able to protect computer from being exposed to viruses such as when physical devices like USBs are connected.

If OS patches are installed it ensures that the computer can understand all the different types of viruses and protect itself.

I.T 3 & 4 (14 decks)

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