Role of Operating Systems

Question 1

What are the main functions of operating systems?

Answer 1

To hide the hardware complexities
Provide a user interface
To manage hardware/resources

Question 2

What is a UI?

Answer 2

User Interface tools provided to a user to interact with a computer system

Question 3

What is a GUI?

Answer 3

Graphical User Interface: An image based interface that uses windows, icons, menus and pointers (WIMP)

Question 4

What is a CLI?

Answer 4

Command Line Interface: A text-only interface that is less user-friendly than a GUI but is more powerful with those confident in their abilties

Question 5

Describe the three aspects of hardware management run by the OS

Answer 5

Memory management: Loads programs into RAM when run, most frequently used instructions are stored in the cache for faster access, least frequently are moved to virtual memory

CPU allocation: Individual instructions are passed into CPU with differing priority levels. Multi-core processers use more complex systems to make the most efficient use of the CPU with minimal delays while dependent tasks are running

Peripheral management: Input/ output devices need to be managed, and each data stream needs to be processed in competition with already running programs

Question 6

Name some user interfaces

Answer 6

GUI
CLI
Menu driven
Voice controlled