lOMoARcPSD|55704075

Short Questions and Answers

Operating systems (APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University)

Scan to open on Studocu

Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university

Downloaded by Sai ([email protected])
 lOMoARcPSD|55704075

Short Questions and Answers: Operating Systems - Process and Threads

1. Can you explain what an operating system is?

An operating system is a type of software that controls and manages the hardware of a computer. In
addition to this, it serves as the foundation for application programmes and acts as an intermediary
between the user of a computer and the hardware of the computer. It is responsible for controlling and
coordinating the use of the hardware by the many different application programmes for the many
different users.

2. Why is the Operating System considered to be a programme that controls and allocates resources?

A computer system has many hardware and software resources, some of which may be required to
solve a problem. These resources include things like CPU time, memory space, file-storage space, I/O
devices, and many others. Because the operating system is responsible for managing these resources,
people often refer to it as a resource allocator. Because it manages the execution of user programmes in
order to prevent errors and improper use of the computer, the operating system (OS) is considered to
be a control programme.

3. Can you explain what the Kernel is?

The operating system (OS) is the one programme that runs continuously on the computer; this
programme is typically referred to as the kernel. All other programmes on the computer are considered
to be application programmes.

4. Can you explain what batch systems are?

For the execution of large jobs that require little interaction, batch processing systems are an excellent
choice. It is possible for the user to submit jobs and then check back later for the results. There is no
requirement to wait around while the job is being processed. The operators grouped together a number
of jobs that required very similar information and processed them all at once using the computer.

5. What are the benefits of using multiple programmes at once?

Multiprogramming increases the utilisation of the central processing unit (CPU) by organising jobs in
such a way that there is always something for the CPU to carry out. In order to keep several jobs
progressing at the same time while keeping the peripheral devices in use, multiple jobs are loaded into
the main memory, and the processor is switched from job to job as needed. The first time the operating
system is required to make a call on behalf of the users is during the process of multiprogramming. As a
result, they have a fairly high level of sophistication.

6. Could you please explain what an interactive computer system is?

Downloaded by Sai ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|55704075

The user and the computer system are able to have direct communication when using an interactive
computer system. Using a keyboard or a mouse, the user issues commands to the operating system or
to a programme directly, and then waits for the results of those commands to become immediately
apparent.

7. Could you please explain what you mean by "Time-Sharing Systems"?

Multitasking, also known as time-sharing, is a logical extension of the concept of multiprogramming. It

enables a large number of users to share a single computer at the same time. Multiple tasks are carried
out simultaneously by the central processing unit (CPU), which toggles between them in such rapid
succession that users are able to interact with individual programmes even as they are being executed.

8. What exactly are multiprocessor systems, and what are the benefits of using them?

Systems that have more than one processor and are in close communication with one another, sharing
the computer bus, the clock, and sometimes memory and peripheral devices are referred to as
multiprocessor systems. These systems are also known as parallel systems and tightly coupled systems.
Increased throughput and reliability are two of their primary benefits, along with economies of scale and
scale economies.

9. Can you explain the various forms that multiprocessing can take?

Symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) is a type of parallel processing in which each processor runs an
identical copy of the operating system and these copies communicate with one another as required.
Every processor is considered an equal peer.

Windows NT, Solaris, Digital UNIX, OS/2, and Linux are some examples of operating systems.

Asymmetric multiprocessing means that each processor is responsible for its own unique job. The
system is controlled by a master processor, and all of the other processors look to the master for any
instructions or tasks that have been predefined. It establishes a hierarchy of masters and slaves.

Example: SunOS Version 4.

10. What exactly is meant by the term "graceful degrading"?

In multiprocessor systems, the failure of a single processor will not bring the system to a complete halt
but will only cause it to run more slowly. If there are ten processors, and one of them fails, the other
nine processors will take over the tasks that were being performed by the failed processor. The term
"graceful degradation" refers to the ability to continue providing service in a manner that is proportional
to the surviving hardware.

11. What does it mean to operate in dual modes?

With the dual mode operation, we have the ability to shield the operating system from malicious users
while also preventing malicious users from communicating with one another. There are two different

Downloaded by Sai ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|55704075

modes: user mode and monitor mode. There are a few different names for monitor mode: supervisor
mode, system mode, and privileged mode. The mode bit is a piece of hardware that is built into
computers and serves the purpose of indicating the mode that is currently active. When in monitor
mode, the mode bit is set to 0, and when in user mode, it is set to 1.

12. What exactly is meant by the term "Privileged Instructions"?

The machine instructions that have the potential to cause damage to a system are separated out and
given the privileged instruction label. Only in monitor mode are the privileged instructions able to be
carried out because the hardware only permits this.

13. In what ways can a user programme interfere with the typical functioning of a system?

User programmes have the potential to interfere with the typical operation of a computer system if they
do any of the following: access memory locations within the operating system itself access memory
locations within the OS itself refuse to relinquish control of the central processing unit

14. In what manner is the security of the memory maintained?

Two registers are utilised in order to provide protection against unauthorised access to memory. Two
registers are involved: the base register and the limit register. The base register stores the smallest legal
physical address, whereas the limit register stores the size of the range. Both registers are located in the
same location. Only the operating system, through the use of privileged instructions, is authorised to
load the base and limit registers.

15. What are the various components of the operating system?

The various parts of the system are as follows:

 Process management
 Main memory management ile management
 I/O-system management
 Administration of secondary storage spaces
 System for the protection of networks
 Command interpreter system

16. Can you explain what a process is?

A programme that is being run is referred to as a process. In a contemporary operating system, it is the
fundamental unit of work. A process is an active entity that has a programme counter that specifies the
next instructions to execute and a set of associated resources. A process also has its own set of
associated resources. In addition to that, it consists of the process stack, which stores temporary data,
as well as a data section that stores global variables.

17. Can you explain what a "Process State" is and go over the different states that a process can be in?

Downloaded by Sai ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|55704075

Whenever a process runs, the state it's in will change. The action that is currently taking place within a
process helps define the state that the process is currently in.

Every process could be in any one of the following states at any given time:

New \sRunning \sWaiting \sReady \sTerminated

18. Can you explain what a Process Control Block, or PCB, is?

A process control block, sometimes referred to as a task control block, is what the operating system uses
to represent each individual process. It includes a large number of different pieces of information
associated with a particular procedure. Its sole purpose is to serve as a repository for any information
that might be unique to each individual process. It includes the following pieces of information:

 A state of the process

 The use of programme counters
 Cpu registers
 Information regarding cpu scheduling
 Information regarding the management of memory
 Information pertaining to accounting
 Status information on i/o devices

19. What are the advantages of utilising Job Queues, Ready Queues, and Device Queues?

When a process is added to a system, it is immediately placed in a job queue. This queue contains all of
the jobs currently active in the system. A list known as the ready queue is used to keep track of the
processes that are currently resident in main memory and are prepared and waiting to be executed. The
device queue is where the list of processes that are waiting for a specific input/output device is stored.

20. What exactly does it mean to switch contexts?

In order to switch the CPU to another process, the state of the previous process must be saved, and
then the state must be loaded for the new process from the saved state. The process of switching
contexts is known as "context switch." The process control flowchart (PCB) of a process is a
representation of the context of a process.

21. What is the meaning of spooling?

The term "spooling" refers to the practise of performing simultaneous peripheral operations on line. It is
a high-speed device like a disc that is placed in between a programme that is currently running and a
low-speed device that is involved with the programme in the input/output process. It decouples the
performance of a programme that is currently running from the sluggish operation of devices such as
printers.

22. What exactly are "System Calls," though?

Downloaded by Sai ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|55704075

System calls are what make up the interface that connects a process to the operating system. System
Calls are also sometimes referred to as Monitor calls or function calls within the operating system. When
a system call is carried out, the hardware recognises it and processes it as if it were a software interrupt.
Control is then transferred to a service routine within the operating system by way of the interrupt
vector, and the mode bit is set to monitor mode at this point.

23. Can you name some of the services that an operating system offers?

The running of the programme

I/O Operation

Manipulation of the File System

Communication Error detection

24. What are the differences between the two varieties of real-time systems?

Real-time systems that are hard and real-time systems that are sot

25. Can you explain the distinction between a Hard Real Time System and a Soft Real Time System?

When using a hard real time system, you can rest assured that time-sensitive tasks will be finished on
schedule. In a system with a soft implementation of real-time processing, a critical real-time task is given
precedence over other tasks and continues to hold that precedence until it is finished. The utility of soft
real-time systems is significantly less extensive than that of hard real-time systems.

26. Could you explain the distinction between multiprogramming and non-multiprogramming in more
detail?

One of the tasks stored in memory is selected at random by the operating system, and it then begins to
be carried out. In the end, the job might have to be put on hold while something else is completed, such
as mounting a tape or performing an input/output operation. If the system did not support multiple
programmes, the central processing unit would be inactive. When one job is finished, the operating
system in a multiprogramming system smoothly transitions to the next one and continues working.

When it becomes necessary for that job to wait, the central processing unit is transferred to another job,
and so on. After some time, the first job is finished waiting and is given control of the CPU. The central
processing unit will never be in a state of idleness as long as there is always some job to carry out.

27. What are the goals that should be accomplished by the design of an operating system?

The requirements can be broken down into two primary categories: those that pertain to the users and
those that pertain to the system. Users want the system to be convenient and simple to use, as well as
straightforward and simple to learn, dependable, secure, and quick. The operating system ought to be
simple, not only to design but also to implement and to keep up. Additionally, it ought to be adaptable,

Downloaded by Sai ([email protected])

 lOMoARcPSD|55704075

dependable, free of mistakes, and effective. These are some of the requirements, all of which are
ambiguous and do not have a single, overarching answer.

28. What are the five primary groups of System Calls that are available?

Control of the Process

Ile management Device management

Administration of informational content

Communications

29. What are the advantages of utilising Fork and Execve System Calls?

A new process can be initiated by the system using the fork system call. After a fork, one of the two
processes will use the Execve system call to execute a new programme in the memory space previously
occupied by the original process. Execve is also a System call.

30. What is the difference between the elapsed CPU time and the maximum CPU time?

Elapsed CPU Time refers to the total amount of CPU time that a process has used up to this point.

The maximum amount of computer processing time that a process is allowed to use.

Downloaded by Sai ([email protected])