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1
Q

What is an Operating System (OS)?

A

A program that manages a computer’s hardware and software resources while providing a user interface for interaction.

It acts as an intermediary between the hardware and user applications.

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2
Q

List the functions of an Operating System.

A
  • Process Management
  • Memory Management
  • Storage Management
  • I/O Management
  • Security & Protection
  • User Interface
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3
Q

What are the main components of a computer system?

A
  • Hardware
  • Operating System
  • Application Programs
  • Users
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4
Q

What is a Single-Processor System?

A

A computer system with one CPU that executes all instructions.

It follows the Von Neumann architecture.

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5
Q

What are the advantages of a Single-Processor System?

A
  • Simple and cost-effective
  • Easier to design and maintain
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6
Q

What are the disadvantages of a Single-Processor System?

A
  • Limited processing power
  • If the CPU fails, the entire system stops
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7
Q

Define a Multiprocessor System.

A

A system with two or more CPUs that share memory and peripherals to execute multiple tasks efficiently.

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8
Q

What is Symmetric Multiprocessing (SMP)?

A

All CPUs run the OS and share workloads.

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9
Q

What are the advantages of a Multiprocessor System?

A
  • Increases system performance
  • Better fault tolerance
  • Efficient parallel processing
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10
Q

What is a Clustered System?

A

A system where multiple computers work as a single system to provide high availability and load balancing.

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11
Q

What are the characteristics of a Clustered System?

A
  • Uses high-speed network connections for communication
  • Can be Loosely Coupled or Tightly Coupled
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12
Q

What are the advantages of a Clustered System?

A
  • High availability and fault tolerance
  • Easy scalability
  • Supports parallel processing
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13
Q

What is the goal of an OS structure?

A
  • Efficiency
  • Modularity
  • Security and Protection
  • Scalability
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14
Q

Describe the Monolithic Structure of an OS.

A

The entire OS is a single program with all services combined.

Example: Early UNIX systems.

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15
Q

What are the pros of a Monolithic Structure?

A
  • Fast execution
  • Direct communication between OS components
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16
Q

What are the cons of a Monolithic Structure?

A
  • Difficult to modify or update
  • A single bug can crash the entire system
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17
Q

What is a Layered Structure in an OS?

A

The OS is divided into layers, each performing specific tasks.

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18
Q

What are the pros of a Layered Structure?

A
  • Easier to debug and maintain
  • Modular design
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19
Q

What are the cons of a Layered Structure?

A
  • Performance overhead
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20
Q

Define Microkernel Structure.

A

Only essential OS services are in the kernel, while other services run as user-space programs.

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21
Q

What are the advantages of a Microkernel Structure?

A
  • More secure
  • Easier to update individual OS components
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22
Q

What are the disadvantages of a Microkernel Structure?

A
  • Slower performance due to more user-kernel transitions
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23
Q

What is the Modular Approach in OS structure?

A

The OS is structured like a modular system, where components can be loaded/unloaded dynamically.

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24
Q

What are the major OS services?

A
  • Program Execution
  • I/O Operations
  • File-System Manipulation
  • Communication (IPC)
  • Error Detection and Handling
  • Resource Allocation
  • Security & Protection
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25
What is the purpose of system calls?
They act as an interface between user programs and the OS kernel.
26
What happens during the system boot process?
* Power-On Self-Test (POST) * Bootstrap Loader Execution * Loading the OS Kernel * Initializing OS Services
27
What is the Power-On Self-Test (POST)?
The firmware checks if hardware components are working.
28
What is the function of a bootloader?
A small program that loads the OS kernel into memory.
29
What are the two types of firmware in the boot process?
* BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) * UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)
30
What is the difference between BIOS and UEFI?
BIOS is older and used in legacy systems, while UEFI supports secure boot and large storage.
31
What is the structure of the Linux file system?
Follows a single-root hierarchy (/) with directories like /home, /bin, /etc.
32
How does Windows organize storage?
Uses drive letters (C:, D:) to organize storage.
33
What are the types of System Calls?
* Process Control * File Management * Device Management * Information Maintenance * Interprocess Communication (IPC)
34
What is the purpose of the exec() system call?
A process uses exec() to replace itself with a new program.
35
What does the fork() system call do?
Creates a new process.
36
What is the purpose of the read() system call?
Reads data from a file into a buffer.
37
What is a key difference between Windows and Linux system calls?
Windows uses CreateFile(), ReadFile(), WriteFile(), while Linux uses open(), read(), write().
38
What is the role of the getpid() system call?
Returns the process ID of the calling process.
39
What does the ioctl() system call do?
Used to send low-level commands to a device driver.
40
What is the significance of system calls in OS?
They allow user programs to interact with the OS kernel.
41
What command is used in Linux to list files in the home directory?
ls /home
42
What Windows API function is used to create a file?
CreateFile()
43
Which system call is used in Linux to open a file?
open()
44
What is the Linux command for creating a process?
fork() + exec()
45
What does UAC stand for in Windows security?
User Access Control
46
What command is used in Linux to grant administrative privileges?
sudo
47
How do you kill a process in Windows using the command line?
taskkill /PID 1234
48
What command is used in Linux to kill a process?
kill -9 1234
49
Define Operating System (OS).
Software that manages hardware and software resources.
50
What architecture is characterized by CPU, memory, and I/O?
Von Neumann Architecture
51
What are the two modes of operation in an operating system?
User mode & Kernel mode
52
What is the purpose of interrupts in an OS?
To signal the CPU for attention.
53
What type of kernel is characterized by a single large program?
Monolithic Kernel
54
What is an example of a microkernel?
Minix
55
What is a hybrid kernel?
Combines both monolithic and microkernel architectures.
56
What are Virtual Machines (VMs) used for?
To emulate hardware.
57
What is the primary function of process management in an OS?
Creating, scheduling, terminating processes.
58
What does memory management involve?
Allocating RAM, swapping, paging.
59
What is the role of the file system management in an OS?
Organizing data storage.
60
What does I/O system management handle?
Input and output devices.
61
What is a Command-Line Interface (CLI)?
Linux shell, Windows PowerShell.
62
What is an example of a Graphical User Interface (GUI)?
Windows Explorer, macOS Finder.
63
What are system calls?
Interface for user programs to interact with the OS.
64
List the types of system calls.
* Process Control * File Management * Device Management * Information Maintenance * Communication
65
What is the purpose of the BIOS/UEFI in system boot?
Firmware initializes hardware.
66
What does the bootloader do?
Loads OS kernel.
67
What is the function of kernel initialization?
Loads drivers, system services.
68
What is the first user interface element loaded during the boot process?
Login screen, GUI.

operating system (1 decks)

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