4.3 Operating systems

Question 1

Give examples of operating systems

Answer 1

MS DOS
Windows
Android
Chrome OS
macOS
Linux (aka the best)

Question 2

System Software

Answer 2

System Software is the software that provides a platform for other software to work

Question 3

Give some features of system software

Answer 3

Operating systems, utility programs, program translators

Question 4

Operating Systems

Answer 4

Operating systems manage computer hardware users and the resources used by the software

Question 5

What are operating systems responsible for managing

Answer 5

The user interface
Memory interface
Multitasking
Peripheral management and drivers
User management
File management

Question 6

User Interfaces

Answer 6

Provide a method for users to interact with a computer

Question 7

GUI

Answer 7

A Graphical User Interface use pointers, windows, menus, icons and drag and drop features. However on smartphones they are more touched base and do not have pointers. Windows apps typically take up the whole screen

Question 8

Give types of UI

Answer 8

Graphical User Interface
Menu-Driven interface
Command Line Interface
Voice activated
Real-time

Question 9

Command Line Interfaces

Answer 9

Text commands are entered into the computer (this is very low resource and can save the need for expensive hardware)

Question 10

Why is it worth learning CLI

Answer 10

For experts who know commands it can be much faster than having to use a mouse because it requires much less disk storage and requires less RAM

Question 11

Menu-driven interfaces

Answer 11

Menu driven interfaces are often used by devices that have a dedicated function

Question 12

Give some examples for Menu Driven Interfaces

Answer 12

MP3 players
ATM machines
Self service checkouts

Question 13

Why must the computer copy the program from the storage into main memory? (memory management)

Answer 13

Because the OS must keep a record of where each program is and where it’s data is located. Then the OS will make sure none of its data are overwritten

Question 14

Multi-tasking

Answer 14

This is where an OS manages many tasks happening at the same time. For example you may be running a computer game, but also you are searching the web on another monitor or many background processes. The OS decides on which process will be run next by the CPU and how long for

Question 15

Interrupts

Answer 15

Interrupts are signals sent to the CPU by external devices to indicate an event needs immediate attention by suspending it’s current activities and execute appropriate instructions.

Question 16

Hardware interrupts

Answer 16

Generated by hardware devices. For example out of printing paper

Question 17

Software interrupts

Answer 17

Generated by programs. For example, a divide-by-zero error will cause an error message to be displayed

Question 18

Peripheral management

Answer 18

The OS manages getting inputs from and sending outputs to devices. For example keyboards, printers, displays, cameras etc.

Question 19

Device drivers

Answer 19

A program that controls peripheral devices such as printers, mice and displays.

Question 20

How do devices communicate with a computer?

Answer 20

Communicates with the OS via its own driver

Question 21

What is a hard disk an example of?

Answer 21

Storage peripheral

Question 22

How does the operating system manage files?

Answer 22

The OS manages where the disks are written on the files, they keep track of where they are so they can be retrieved, and make sure no file overwrites another file

Question 23

What features are available given by the OS in file management?

Answer 23

Naming files
Allocating files to folders
Moving files
Saving files
Copying files
Deleting files

Question 24

How does an OS manage login systems?

Answer 24

It stores usernames and passwords in a file or database

Question 25

What are access rights?

Answer 25

If a computer is used by more than one person, each user should be able to see only their files
Users and system administrators have different levels of access rights
Some users may be allowed to read files but not edit them