OS Concepts Flashcards
Build up concepts of Operating systems
Trap instruction
A special instruction that triggers a software interrupt, transferring control to the operating system for handling privileged operations or system calls.
Operating system services
The core functionalities provided by an OS.
Services of the Operating system
interface, program execution, I/O operations, filesystem manipulation, communications, error detection, resource allocation, accounting, protection, and security.
System calls
Interfaces that allow user programs to request services from the operating system, such as file operations, process control, and communication.
API (Application Programming Interface)
A set of functions and protocols that allow applications to interact with the operating system or other software components.
Mode switching
The transition between user mode and kernel mode in an OS, allowing the system to perform privileged operations securely.
Context switching
The process of saving and restoring the state of a CPU when switching between processes or threads.
Stack on Process stack
A memory structure used by a process to manage function calls, local variables, and control flow.
Process control system call
A system call that manages process execution, including creation, termination, and synchronization.
File manipulation system call
A system call that allows programs to perform file operations like creating, reading, writing, and deleting files.
Information maintenance system call
A system call that retrieves system-related information, such as process attributes, time, and system configuration.
Communication system call
A system call that enables inter-process communication (IPC) through shared memory, message passing, or sockets.
Protection system call
A system call that enforces security policies, such as access control and user authentication.
Device manipulation system call
A system call that interacts with hardware devices, handling operations like reading, writing, and configuring device settings.
System programs
Software that provides utilities and tools to help manage and operate the computer system, such as compilers, debuggers, and file managers.
Application programs
End-user software designed to perform specific tasks, such as web browsers, word processors, and games.
Registry
A database used in some operating systems, such as Windows, to store system configurations and application settings.
Daemons
Background processes in an OS that handle system tasks, such as managing network connections or scheduling jobs.
User goals of an OS
The objectives an OS should meet for usability, efficiency, security, and convenience from the user’s perspective.
System goals of an OS
The technical objectives of an OS, such as performance optimization, reliability, security, and hardware abstraction.
Layered OS
An operating system design where functionality is divided into hierarchical layers, each with a specific role.
Microkernel OS
An OS architecture where only essential services (such as process management and IPC) run in the kernel, while other services run in user space.
Modular OS
An OS design that allows dynamic loading and unloading of components, providing flexibility and extensibility.
System generation
The process of configuring and compiling an OS to run on a specific hardware setup.
ISO image
A disk image file that contains an exact copy of an optical disk, often used for OS installation.
System boot
The process of starting a computer and loading the operating system into memory.
Booting
The sequence of events that initializes hardware and loads the OS after power-on or restart.
Bootstrap program/loader
A small program stored in firmware that initializes the system and loads the operating system.
Firmware
Low-level software stored in non-volatile memory that controls hardware initialization and system startup.
Boot block
A reserved section on a storage device that contains the initial bootloader code required to start the system.
Boot disk
A storage device containing a bootable operating system or recovery tools.
File system
The method and data structures an OS uses to store, retrieve, and manage files on a storage device.
