OS PRELIM Flashcards by LUIS KEINE CERTEZA

What is the main purpose of an operating system?
a) To allow direct interaction between the user and hardware
b) To manage hardware and provide an environment for executing programs
c) To provide internet access
d) To replace application programs

To manage hardware and provide an environment for executing programs

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Which of the following is NOT a function of an operating system?
a) File management
b) Hardware management
c) Creating application software
d) Process scheduling

Creating application software

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The operating system acts as an intermediary between:
a) Hardware and software
b) The user and hardware
c) The CPU and memory
d) Application software and firmware

The user and hardware

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What component of the computer system executes instructions and performs calculations?
a) RAM
b) Hard Disk
c) CPU
d) Cache

CPU

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What is the role of the device controller in a computer system?
a) To store all programs and data
b) To manage specific hardware devices
c) To execute instructions
d) To act as the central processing unit

To manage specific hardware devices

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An interrupt is used to:
a) Store files in memory
b) Signal the CPU that an event requires attention
c) Transfer data from RAM to the CPU
d) Restart the operating system

Signal the CPU that an event requires attention

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Which of the following best describes multiprogramming?
a) Running multiple processes at once for increased CPU utilization
b) Using multiple CPUs to execute a single process
c) Executing a single program in sequence
d) Using one program to control multiple CPUs

Running multiple processes at once for increased CPU utilization

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The kernel mode in an operating system is used for:
a) Running user applications
b) Executing privileged operations of the OS
c) Running antivirus software
d) Managing only input devices

Executing privileged operations of the OS

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What is the purpose of a timer in an operating system?
a) To allow user applications to run indefinitely
b) To schedule system reboots
c) To prevent infinite loops in programs
d) To synchronize multiple operating systems

To prevent infinite loops in programs

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In an operating system, a process is:
a) A static entity stored on disk
b) A program in execution
c) A hardware component that controls I/O devices
d) A special type of file in the OS

A program in execution

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The process that creates other processes in an operating system is called:
a) Child process
b) Parent process
c) System process
d) Background process

Parent process

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Which of the following best describes virtual memory?
a) A portion of RAM reserved for the operating system
b) A method for storing files permanently
c) A technique that uses secondary storage to extend RAM
d) A cache for frequently accessed files

A technique that uses secondary storage to extend RAM

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What is the main function of a file system in an OS?
a) To create and delete processes
b) To manage files and directories
c) To increase CPU speed
d) To prevent software bugs

To manage files and directories

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Which of the following is an example of secondary storage?
a) RAM
b) Cache memory
c) Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
d) CPU registers

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

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What is the purpose of caching in an OS?
a) To increase processing power
b) To store frequently used data for faster access
c) To eliminate the need for RAM
d) To replace hard disk storage

To store frequently used data for faster access

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A process control block (PCB) contains information about:
a) Process state, program counter, and CPU registers
b) Only the program code
c) File system permissions
d) The list of all installed applications

Process state, program counter, and CPU registers

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A context switch occurs when:
a) A process is created
b) The CPU switches from one process to another
c) A file is deleted
d) The system is rebooted

The CPU switches from one process to another

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Which scheduling queue holds processes that are ready to execute?
a) Job queue
b) Ready queue
c) Waiting queue
d) Terminated queue

Ready queue

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What is the purpose of interprocess communication (IPC)?
a) To allow processes to share data and communicate
b) To increase RAM capacity
c) To speed up CPU processing
d) To disable background processes

To allow processes to share data and communicate

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Which IPC mechanism allows processes to communicate through a shared memory region?
a) Message passing
b) Pipes
c) Shared memory
d) Interrupts

Shared memory

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What is the difference between blocking and non-blocking communication?
a) Blocking waits until an event occurs; non-blocking continues execution
b) Non-blocking pauses execution, while blocking does not
c) Both terms refer to the same process
d) Blocking is only used in networking

Blocking waits until an event occurs; non-blocking continues execution

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What is the main purpose of an operating system’s security mechanism?
a) To allow unrestricted access to system resources
b) To prevent unauthorized access and protect system data
c) To increase CPU speed
d) To delete unused files automatically

To prevent unauthorized access and protect system data

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A firewall is an example of which security technique?
a) Process scheduling
b) User authentication
c) Network security
d) Virtual memory management

Network security

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What is the difference between protection and security in an OS?
a) Protection controls resource access; security defends against attacks
b) Protection is for networking, security is for memory management
c) Protection prevents data loss, security prevents CPU overheating
d) Protection is only for user authentication, while security is for firewalls

Protection controls resource access; security defends against attacks

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What is the primary function of an operating system? a) Manage hardware and software resources b) Improve CPU speed c) Provide high-speed internet access d) Act as an external storage device

Manage hardware and software resources

The operating system acts as an intermediary between: a) User and applications b) Applications and hardware c) CPU and memory d) BIOS and firmware

Applications and hardware

Which of the following is NOT an example of an operating system? a) Windows b) Linux c) Microsoft Office d) macOS

Microsoft Office

The key components of a computer system include: a) Hardware, software, application programs, and users b) CPU, RAM, power supply, and antivirus software c) User, peripherals, printer, and CPU d) Database, keyboard, and GPU

Hardware, software, application programs, and users

Which of the following correctly defines system software? a) Software designed to manage computer hardware b) Software used for writing documents c) Games and entertainment applications d) Software used for developing web applications

Software designed to manage computer hardware

The central processing unit (CPU) is responsible for: a) Storing data permanently b) Executing instructions and processing data c) Managing the network connections d) Displaying the user interface

Executing instructions and processing data

An interrupt is used to: a) Restart the system b) Alert the CPU to events requiring immediate attention c) Transfer data from RAM to CPU d) Save temporary files

Alert the CPU to events requiring immediate attention

A device controller is responsible for: a) Managing specific hardware devices b) Controlling CPU registers c) Increasing processing speed d) Managing cloud storage

Managing specific hardware devices

Which of the following is NOT an operating system service? a) File management b) Process control c) Internet browsing d) Memory management

Internet browsing

Which type of operating system interface uses commands typed in a terminal? a) Graphical User Interface (GUI) b) Command Line Interface (CLI) c) Touch Interface d) Voice-controlled Interface

Command Line Interface (CLI)

An example of a multitasking operating system is: a) MS-DOS b) Windows c) Calculator application d) BIOS

Windows

A program in execution is known as a: a) Thread b) Process c) File d) Taskbar

Process

A parent process creates child processes using the: a) fork() system call b) open() function c) start() method d) execute() command

fork() system call

The state of a process that is waiting for an event is called: a) Running b) Terminated c) Waiting d) Ready

Waiting

The Process Control Block (PCB) does not contain: a) Process ID b) CPU scheduling information c) Network settings d) Memory management information

Network settings

The fastest type of memory is: a) Hard disk b) RAM c) Cache memory d) SSD

Cache memory

Virtual memory is used to: a) Store files permanently b) Extend RAM using secondary storage c) Increase CPU processing speed d) Replace registers

Extend RAM using secondary storage

Caching is used to: a) Store data permanently b) Speed up access to frequently used data c) Replace secondary storage d) Improve display resolution

Speed up access to frequently used data

A file system is responsible for: a) Managing and organizing files b) Increasing CPU speed c) Running background applications d) Controlling RAM usage

Managing and organizing files

Which of the following is not a secondary storage device? a) Hard disk b) SSD c) RAM d) USB drive

RAM

Which IPC mechanism allows processes to communicate by reading and writing to a shared memory region? a) Pipes b) Message passing c) Shared memory d) Interrupts

Shared memory

In direct communication, processes communicate by: a) Naming each other explicitly b) Using an intermediate mailbox c) Sending signals to the operating system d) Writing data to a file

Naming each other explicitly

Which term refers to controlling user access to system resources? a) Protection b) Multitasking c) Paging d) Virtualization

Protection

Firewalls are used to: a) Prevent unauthorized network access b) Increase hard disk speed c) Improve system boot time d) Store temporary files

Prevent unauthorized network access

What is the primary goal of an operating system’s security mechanisms? a) To control user access and prevent unauthorized access b) To increase file storage capacity c) To allow unlimited software downloads d) To improve RAM performance

To control user access and prevent unauthorized access

Virtualization allows multiple operating systems to: a) Run on a single physical machine b) Share the same username and password c) Communicate through emails d) Perform calculations faster

Run on a single physical machine

A distributed system is a collection of: a) Physically separate computers that work together b) A single processor managing multiple tasks c) A system that only works with cloud storage d) An isolated computer with no network connectivity

Physically separate computers that work together

terabyte

Request to the OS to allow user to wait for I/O completion

System call

It provides basic computing resources

Hardware

What is an Operating System? I. A program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware II. Execute user programs and make solving user problems easier III. Make the computer system convenient to use IV. Use the computer hardware in an efficient manner a. False b. I AND IV c. II, III AND IV d. True

True

A computer system component that covers people, machines and other computers. application program Hardware operating system Users

Users

GB meaning

gigabyte

The following is true about Computer System Operation except: I. I/O devices and the CPU is not allowed to execute concurrently II. Each device controller is in charge of a particular device type III. Each device controller has a local buffer IV. Device controller is not needed by an operating system device driver to manage it V. CPU moves data from/to main memory to/from local buffers VI. I/O is from the device to local buffer of controller VII. Device controller informs CPU that it has finished its operation by causing a loop No valid combination I, IV AND VII I, II, IV AND V II AND III

I, IV AND VII

Define the ways in which the system resources are used to solve the computing problems of the users

Hardware Management Process Management Memory Management File System Management Device Management User Interface Security and Protection Networking and Communication

MB meaning

megabyte

Based on Storage-Device Hierarchy, which is faster? Cache Register HHD Main Memory

KB meaning

kilobyte

1 byte = ___ bits

The one program running at all times on the computer

Kernel

In terms of Computer System Operation, device controller informs CPU that it has finished its operation by causing __.

An interrupt

The following are true except: Disk surface is logically divided into sectors, which are subdivided into tracks. Non-volatile memory devices is faster than hard disks. The disk controller determines the logical interaction between the device and the computer. Hard Disk Drives rigid metal or glass platters covered with magnetic recording material.

Disk surface is logically divided into sectors, which are subdivided into tracks.

Who is known as the father of modern computing? a) Alan Turing b) Charles Babbage c) John von Neumann d) Dennis Ritchie

Alan Turing

Who developed the first general-purpose mechanical computer, known as the Analytical Engine? a) Alan Turing b) Charles Babbage c) John von Neumann d) Linus Torvalds

Charles Babbage

Who is the creator of the Linux operating system? a) Linus Torvalds b) Bill Gates c) Steve Jobs d) Ken Thompson

Linus Torvalds

In what year was the first version of UNIX developed? a) 1969 b) 1975 c) 1981 d) 1991

1969

Microsoft Windows 1.0 was released in what year? a) 1981 b) 1985 c) 1990 d) 1995

1985

What year was the first version of Linux released? a) 1985 b) 1991 c) 1995 d) 2000

1991

Which company developed the Windows operating system? a) Apple b) IBM c) Microsoft d) Google

Microsoft

What year was MS-DOS first released? a) 1979 b) 1981 c) 1985 d) 1990

1981

What is the core of an operating system that manages system resources? a) Shell b) Kernel c) API d) GUI

Kernel

What system call is used to create a new process in UNIX/Linux? a) exec() b) fork() c) spawn() d) create()

fork()

What system call is used to replace the memory space of a process with a new program? a) fork() b) exec() c) wait() d) exit()

exec()

Which type of memory is volatile and loses its data when power is turned off? a) ROM b) RAM c) SSD d) Hard disk

RAM

Which operating system was the first to introduce a graphical user interface (GUI)? a) Windows b) macOS c) UNIX d) Xerox Alto

Xerox Alto

What is the name of the first widely used personal computer operating system? a) MS-DOS b) UNIX c) Linux d) Windows 95

MS-DOS

What is the full form of BIOS? a) Basic Input Output System b) Binary Input Output System c) Basic Internal Operating System d) Boot Integrated Operating System

Basic Input Output System

What does API stand for in operating systems? a) Advanced Process Interaction b) Application Programming Interface c) Automated Peripheral Integration d) Active Process Interrupt

Application Programming Interface

Which memory is used to store the bootloader? a) RAM b) ROM c) Hard Disk d) Cache

ROM

Which file system is commonly used in Windows operating systems? a) NTFS b) EXT4 c) FAT32 d) HFS+

NTFS

What is the primary function of a device driver? a) Manage software applications b) Enable communication between the OS and hardware c) Control access to system files d) Speed up the CPU

Enable communication between the OS and hardware

What is the full form of GUI? a) General User Interface b) Graphical User Interface c) Global User Integration d) Graphical Utility Integration

Graphical User Interface