Chapter 1

Question 1

What are hardware components in a computer?

Answer 1

Physical, touchable parts like Monitor, Keyboard, CPU, HD, RAM.

HD refers to Hard Drive, RAM refers to Random Access Memory.

Question 2

What does software do in a computer?

Answer 2

It controls and interacts with hardware.

Question 3

What is a device driver?

Answer 3

A program that allows the OS to communicate with hardware.

Question 4

What is application software?

Answer 4

Software used by the user like browsers, games, spreadsheets.

Question 5

What is the primary role of an OS?

Answer 5

Acts as a middleman between users, application software, and hardware.

Question 6

What are the two main user interfaces provided by OS?

Answer 6

CLI (text-based) and GUI (icon-based).

Question 7

What system services can the OS provide?

Answer 7

Printing, web hosting, routing, and more.

Question 8

What is a program?

Answer 8

A static set of instructions stored on disk (e.g., .exe, .app).

Question 9

What is a process?

Answer 9

An instance of a program in execution, managed by the OS.

Question 10

Are programs and processes the same?

Answer 10

No, a process is a running version of a program.

Question 11

What is the basic flow of interaction in a computer system?

Answer 11

Users → Application Software → Operating System → Hardware

Question 12

Can users interact directly with the OS?

Answer 12

Yes, especially in CLI-based systems.

Question 13

What is a Server OS?

Answer 13

An OS designed to provide services to multiple users over a network.

Question 14

Give an example of a UNIX-based server OS.

Answer 14

• Sun Solaris
• IBM AIX
• HP-UX

Question 15

What was the problem with UNIX variants?

Answer 15

Lack of interoperability due to varying implementations.

Question 16

Who created Linux and when?

Answer 16

Linus Torvalds in 1991

Question 17

What license is Linux published under?

Answer 17

GNU Public License (GPL)

Question 18

What is the development model of Linux?

Answer 18

Open Source Software (OSS) – global collaboration

Question 19

What is the kernel?

Answer 19

The core part of the OS, managing hardware and system resources

Question 20

What language is the Linux kernel mostly written in?

Answer 20

C

Question 21

What are the two types of kernel versions?

Answer 21

Stable (for production) and development (for testing)

Question 22

What does ‘multiuser’ mean in Linux?

Answer 22

Multiple users can use the system simultaneously

Question 23

What does ‘multitasking’ mean in Linux?

Answer 23

Can handle thousands of tasks at once

Question 24

Name one cost-related advantage of Linux.

Answer 24

It’s free with no licensing fees

Question 25

Why is Linux considered stable?

Answer 25

Systems can run for years without rebooting

Question 26

What makes Linux scalable?

Answer 26

It works on devices from microchips to supercomputers

Question 27

What makes Linux customizable?

Answer 27

Everything can be changed—from kernel to interface

Question 28

What is a Linux distribution?

Answer 28

A complete OS package built around the Linux kernel

Question 29

What does a distro typically include?

Answer 29

Kernel, libraries, system services, applications, package manager

Question 30

What are server-oriented distros used for?

Answer 30

Running services like web or email servers

Question 31

What are minimalist distros used for?

Answer 31

Embedded systems like routers

Question 32

Which distros are GUI-focused for desktops?

Answer 32

Ubuntu, Fedora

Question 33

Which distro is command-line only and advanced?

Answer 33

Arch Linux

Question 34

What’s the difference between Red Hat and Fedora?

Answer 34

Red Hat is for enterprises; Fedora is community-driven

Question 35

What is Debian known for?

Answer 35

Stability; many distros are based on it

Question 36

What is Ubuntu based on?

Answer 36

Debian

Question 37

What is OpenSUSE good for?

Answer 37

General purpose with strong admin tools

Question 38

What does a package manager do?

Answer 38

Installs, removes, and updates software; handles dependencies

Question 39

What is RPM used for?

Answer 39

Red Hat, Fedora, CentOS

Question 40

What is DPKG/APT used for?

Answer 40

Debian and Ubuntu-based systems

Question 41

What is a tarball?

Answer 41

A compressed archive of software (.tar.gz)

Question 42

Why is manual installation with tarballs harder?

Answer 42

Doesn’t integrate with package manager; harder to uninstall or manage