The Objectives and Functions of Operating Systems

Question 1

An … utilizes hardware resources of one or more processors to provide a wide range of services to system users

Answer 1

operating system (OS)

Question 2

It also manages the secondary memory and the input/output (I/O devices)

Answer 2

operating system (OS)

Question 3

involves software and files that are installed on a computer so that it can boot and execute programs

Answer 3

operating system (OS)

Question 4

technically controls the hardware and coordinates its use among the various programs for various users.

Answer 4

operating system (OS)

Question 5

It includes the kernel, administration tools, and system libraries

Answer 5

operating system (OS)

Question 6

What are the three things can be considered as the objectives of an operating system?

Answer 6

1. An operating system makes a computer convenient to use.
2. An operating system allows computer resources to be utilized in an efficient manner.
3. Operating systems are generally constructed to effectively support the development, testing, and implementation of new system functions or software applications.

Question 7

The OS provides a variety of facilities and services in the form of utility programs, such as editors and debuggers, for program development, which is also referred to as application program development tools.

Answer 7

Program development

Question 8

The OS handles different processes, such as loading data into the memory and scheduling, which must be performed to execute programs

Answer 8

Program execution

Question 9

The OS provides a uniform interface that hides complex sets of instructions for I/O devices’ operation

Answer 9

Access to I/O devices

Question 10

The OS encompasses a detailed understanding of the structure of data contained in a file storage and can provide some protection mechanisms to control file access

Answer 10

Control access to files

Question 11

The OS controls access to the whole system and to some specific system resources through access functions and authorizations

Answer 11

System resource access

Question 12

The OS can detect errors, such as device failure and software errors, and provide appropriate responses that would clear the error condition with the least impact on running applications

Answer 12

Error detection and response

Question 13

The OS must be able to collect usage statistics from various processes, such as response time, that can be used as a basis for system performance improvements

Answer 13

Performance parameter monitoring

Question 14

The … defines the collection of machine language instructions that a computer can follow. The OS has access to additional machine language instructions that deal with managing a system’s …

Answer 14

Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)

Question 15

The … defines a standard for binary portability across programs. It defines the system call interface to the OS and the hardware resources and services available in a system through the ISA

Answer 15

Application Binary Interface (ABI)

Question 16

The … allows a program to the hardware resources and services available in a system through that ISA, supplemented with high-level language library calls. It also enables easier porting of application software.

Answer 16

Application Program Interface (API)

Question 17

OS as computer interface provides services to the following areas:
PPACSEPIAA

Answer 17

1. Program development
2. Program execution
3. Access to I/O devices
4. Control access to files
5. System resource access.
6. Error detection and response
7. Performance parameter monitoring
8. Instruction Set Architecture (ISA)
9. Application Binary Interface (ABI)
10. Application Program Interface (API)

Question 18

Operating systems evolve over time for the following reasons:

Answer 18

1. Hardware upgrades or new types of hardware.
2. New or improved services
3. Fixes to existing OS faults