Operating systems

Question 1

What is the purpose of an operating system?

Answer 1

A collection (suit) of programs that manages and controls the computer.

Question 2

What is the 7 main tasks of an OS?

Answer 2

1) Enables communication between software and hardware (Kernel)
2) Manages the CPU- makes sure each program has enough time to execute.
3) System Security- allocates usernames and passwords which protects each users data
4) Organises files and folders (FAT or NTFS)
5) Deals with errors
6) Manages peripheral devices- Input and output devises
7) Spooling

Question 3

What is the Kernel’s purpose?

Answer 3

Allow communications between hardware and software.

Question 4

What is the purpose of FAT?

Answer 4

FAT (File Allocation Table) is a protocol that manages files in an operating system allowing them to be moved, copied, renamed, deleted and so on.

Question 5

What is the purpose of spooling?

Answer 5

Spooling allows for data to be held before being used and executed by a device or program- this is usually a printer. It means other programs cab be run while data is in the queue.

Question 6

What does the bootstrap loader do?

Answer 6

Loads up the operating system.