TEST 1 - Unit 1 & 2 Flashcards
What is Operating System?
A program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware
Definition of OS
(Functions/Characteristics/Roles)
- OS is a resource allocator
- it manages all resources
- decides between conflicting requests for efficient and fair resource use - OS is a control program
- control program executions to prevent errors and improper use of the computer
What are the GOALS of OS?
- make computer system convenient to use
- execute programs & make solving user problems easier
What are the computer system components?
- hardware
- operating system
- application programs
- users
Explain each computer system components and provide examples.
- HARDWARE provides basic computing resources.
- CPU, memory, I/O devices - OS controls and coordinates use of hardware among various applications and users
- Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows - APPLICATION PROGRAMS are software applications that perform specific tasks or functions for users.
- compilers, video games, database systems - USERS are Users are individuals or entities who interact with the computer system to perform tasks and utilize software.
- people, machines, other computers
What is “kernel”?
A computer program that runs at all times
What are the two types of boot processes?
- Hard (cold) boot
- powering on the computer when it’s completely turned off - Soft (warm) boot
- restart while the computer is still powered but unresponsive
What are the 4 steps in Boot Process?
- Startup BIOS runs POST and assigns resources
- ROM BIOS startup program searches and loads an OS
- OS configures the system and completes its own loading
- Application software is loaded and executed
Explain Computer System Operations.
- in a comp system, one or more CPUs and device controllers are interconnected through a common bus
- this architecture allows them to
-> access shared memory
-> enabling the concurrent
execution of CPUs and devices
What are the 4 basic components of computer system?
- Processor
- Main Memory
- I/O Modules
- System Bus
What are INTERRUPTS?
Events that pause the normal sequence sequence of proessor
Why do Interrupts exist?
- I/O devices are slower than the processor.
- they allow the processor to continue other tasks while waiting for I/O operations to finish
What are the 4 classes of interrupts?
- Program
- generated when something goes wrong during instruction execution or accessing memory you’re not supposed to - Timer
- generated by a timer within processor
- allows OS to perform certain functions on a regular basis - I/O
- generated by an I/O controller
- signaling they have completed or require attention - Hardware Failure
- generated by a failure such as power failure or memory parity failure
Common Fucntions of Interrupts
- Transfer Control
- interrupts transfer control to specific interrupt service routines through an interrupt vector - Address Preservation
- interrupt architecture must save the address of the interrupted instruction - Interrupt Management
- new interrupts are disabled while another interrupt is being processed to prevent lost interrupt - Traps
- a software-generated interrupt caused either by and error or a user request - OS is interrupt driven
What is Interrupt Handling?
the process of managing interruptions in a computer’s normal operation
Explain about Interrupt Handling.
- CPU stops its current tasks when interrupted and immediately transfers execution to a fixed location
- OS saves the CPU’s state
- It identifies the type of interrupt occurred
- Separate segments of code are used to respond appropriately to each type of interrupt
Explain Interrupt Cycle
Processor checks for interrupt;
- If no interrupts fetch, next instruction of the program is executed
- If an interrupt is pending, suspend execution of the current program and execute interrupt handling
What are the 2 types of I/O Structure and their difference(s)?
Synchronous and Asynchronous
In synchronous I/O, control returns to user program only upon I/O completion while in Asynchronous IO, control returns to user program without waiting for I/O completion