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Computer Science > SLR4- Operating Systems and System Software > Flashcards

SLR4- Operating Systems and System Software Flashcards

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1
Q

What is multitasking?

A

When you have more then one program open and running at the same time.

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2
Q

How does the processor handle multitasking?

A

It allocates a small amount of time to each process and cycles between them. This happens so quickly it appears as if multiple programs are executing simultaneously.

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3
Q

How is data stored?

A

In files.

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4
Q

What does the extension of the filename do?

A

Tells the operating system which program to load into.

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5
Q

What does user management do?

A
  • Allows multiple users to log into the same computer.
  • The operating system will retain settings for each user, such as icons, desktop backgrounds etc.
  • Each user may have different access rights to files and programs.
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6
Q

What does a scheduler manage?

A
  • Which process to execute next.
  • The length of time the next process can execute for.
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7
Q

What is first come first serve?

A
  • Works like a supermarket queue.
  • Processes are executed in the order that they arrive.
  • If a process takes a long time, the others simply have to wait.
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8
Q

What is shortest job first?

A
  • Picks the processes that take the shortest amount of time and runs them until they finish.
  • Scheduler needs to know how long each process will take.
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9
Q

What does the operating system do?

A

Provides an interface between the user and the hardware.

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10
Q

How does the user interact with the hardware?

A
  • Through application software.
  • The operating system provides a platform for the operating system to run.
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11
Q

How does the user interact with the application software?

A

Through a user interface, which allows for a friendly and familiar interaction.

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12
Q

What is the purpose of utility programs?

A

Maintenance, examples include:
- Encryption software
- Compression software
- De-fragmentation software.

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13
Q

What are the main roles of the operating system?

A
  • Application Software
  • User interface
  • Memory/resource management
  • Hardware
  • Utility programs
  • Device drivers
  • File management.
  • Handing interrupts.
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14
Q

What is the purpose of device drivers?

A

Translate operating system instructions into instructions that can be understood by the hardware.

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15
Q

What is round robin?

A
  • Each process is allocated a fixed amount of time, known as a time slice or quantum.
  • If the process is not complete by the end of its time slice, it returns to the back of the ready queue.
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16
Q

What is shortest time remaining?

A
  • Similar to shortest job first.
  • A pre-emptive algorithm, meaning processes can be suspended if a higher priority process joins the queue.
17
Q

How does Multi-level feedback queues (MLFQ) work?

A
  • Different queues can have different priorities.
  • Scheduler can move jobs between different queues as needed.
18
Q

What are pages?

A
  • Physical divisions in RAM
  • Fixed size
  • Made to fit sections of memory
  • Programs are split up into a given number of pages
  • Takes no account of how it splits the program, only that it splits it into fixed-sized pages.
19
Q

What are segments?

A
  • Logical divisions
  • Different sizes
  • Complete sections of programs
20
Q

List 3 similarities between paging and segmentation.

A
  • Both allow programs to run despite insufficient memory.
  • Both pages and segments are stored on disk.
  • Both pages and segments are transferred into memory when needed.
21
Q

List 3 differences between paging and segmentation.

A
  • Pages are fixed size, whereas segments are different sizes.
  • Pages are made to fit sections of memory, segments are complete sections of programs.
  • Pages are physical divisions, segments are logical divisions.
22
Q

What is an interrupt?

A

A way for devices and applications to signal to the processor that they require attention.

23
Q

What is the interrupt service routine?

A
  • A program with a set of instructions that need to be fetched, decoded and executed to carry out the operations of the interrupt.
  • This means that the program counter needs to be changed to the address for the first instruction of the interrupt.
24
Q

When an interrupt is received, what happens to the values held in registers?

A
  • Values are copied into the stack.
  • Pushed onto the stack in a stack frame, effectively saving them for later retrieval.
25
Q

What happens to the stack when an interrupt is completed?

A
  • Pop the frame off the top of the stack, this allows us to:
    • Retrieve the previous values for the original program.
    • Load them back into the processor registers.
    • Carry on executing the original program where it left off.
26
Q

List 3 hardware interrupt examples.

A
  • Power supply failure.
  • Power/reset button pressed
  • Power down command
27
Q

List 3 examples of user interrupts.

A
  • Moving the mouse
  • Clicking/tapping an icon
  • Keyboard presses
28
Q

List 3 examples of software interrupts.

A
  • Illegal instruction encountered
  • Arithmetic overflow
  • New log on request
29
Q

List 2 examples of timer interrupts.

A
  • Data-logging program reading an input sensor every second
  • Screen recording application
30
Q

Features of Multi-user operating systems?

A
  • Computer manages multiple users
  • Can manage different permissions and access rights when they log on
  • Handles requests of multiple users using different computers on the network
31
Q

How does a multi-tasking operating system work?

A
  • In single processor systems, each active program is scheduled to receive a tiny time slice.
  • Each slice is executed in very quick rotation to give the impression they are operating at the same time.
32
Q

What does distributed computing do?

A
  • Combines the power of multiple computers across a network for a single task.
33
Q

What is the role of the operating system in distributed computing?

A
  • Controls and coordinates computers, presenting them to the user as a single system.

Computer Science (4 decks)

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