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OS Structures Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the main objective of an operating system?

A

To provide an environment for execution of programs and services to programs and users.

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2
Q

What are the two main types of user interfaces in operating systems?

A
  • Command-Line Interface (CLI)
  • Graphical User Interface (GUI)
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3
Q

What is batch program execution in operating systems?

A

The system must be able to load a program into memory and to run that program, ending execution normally or abnormally.

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4
Q

What operations may a running program require from the operating system?

A

I/O operations involving a file or an I/O device.

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5
Q

What is file-system manipulation?

A

The ability to read, write, create, delete files and directories, search them, list file information, and manage permissions.

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6
Q

What is the purpose of communications in an operating system?

A

To allow processes to exchange information on the same computer or between computers over a network.

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7
Q

What is error detection in an operating system?

A

The OS must be aware of possible errors that may occur in hardware, I/O devices, or user programs and take appropriate actions.

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8
Q

What does resource allocation involve in an operating system?

A

Allocating CPU cycles, main memory, file storage, and I/O devices to multiple users or jobs running concurrently.

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9
Q

What is the role of accounting in an operating system?

A

To track which users use how much and what kinds of computer resources.

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10
Q

What is the difference between protection and security in an operating system?

A
  • Protection ensures controlled access to system resources
  • Security protects the system from unauthorized access by outsiders.
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11
Q

What is a command interpreter in a CLI?

A

It allows direct command entry and fetches a command from the user to execute it.

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12
Q

What is a GUI?

A

A user-friendly desktop metaphor interface that uses icons and mouse interactions to represent files, programs, and actions.

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13
Q

What are touchscreen interfaces designed for?

A

To allow actions and selections based on gestures, often incorporating virtual keyboards and voice commands.

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14
Q

What is a system call in an operating system?

A

A programming interface to the services provided by the OS, typically written in a high-level language.

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15
Q

What are the three most common APIs for system calls?

A
  • Win32 API for Windows
  • POSIX API for POSIX-based systems
  • Java API for the Java virtual machine
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16
Q

How are parameters passed to the operating system?

A
  • Via registers
  • Stored in a block in memory
  • Placed on the stack
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17
Q

What are the types of system calls related to process control?

A
  • Create process
  • Terminate process
  • Load, execute
  • Allocate and free memory
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18
Q

What types of system calls are related to file management?

A
  • Create file
  • Delete file
  • Open, close file
  • Read, write, reposition
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19
Q

What types of system calls are related to device management?

A
  • Request device
  • Release device
  • Read, write, reposition
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20
Q

What types of system calls are related to information maintenance?

A
  • Get/set time or date
  • Get/set system data
  • Get/set process, file, or device attributes
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21
Q

What are the communication-related system calls?

A
  • Create, delete communication connection
  • Send, receive messages
  • Access memory regions in shared-memory model
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22
Q

What are the types of system calls related to communication?

A

Create, delete communication connection, send, receive messages

These calls are essential for inter-process communication.

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23
Q

What does the shared-memory model allow?

A

Create and gain access to memory regions, transfer status information, attach and detach remote devices

This model enables different processes to communicate by accessing shared memory.

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24
Q

What is the purpose of protection system calls?

A

Control access to resources, get and set permissions, allow and deny user access

These calls ensure system security and resource management.

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25
How does a C program invoke a system call like write()?
By calling a standard C library function such as printf() ## Footnote This demonstrates how higher-level programming interacts with system calls.
26
What characterizes the MS-DOS operating system?
Single-tasking, no process created, single memory space, loads program into memory, overwriting all but the kernel ## Footnote MS-DOS is a simple operating system that does not support multitasking.
27
What happens during the user login in FreeBSD?
User invokes their choice of shell, which executes fork() to create a process and exec() to load a program ## Footnote This illustrates the process creation mechanism in Unix-based systems.
28
What are some categories of system programs?
File manipulation, status information, programming language support, program loading and execution, communications, background services ## Footnote System programs provide a convenient environment for development and execution.
29
What is the role of background services in an operating system?
Launch at boot time, provide facilities like disk checking, process scheduling, error logging ## Footnote These services operate in user context and are essential for maintaining system health.
30
What is the main principle behind operating system design?
Separate policy from mechanism ## Footnote This principle allows flexibility in changing policy decisions without altering the underlying mechanisms.
31
What languages are commonly used in operating system implementation?
Assembly language, C, C++, scripting languages like PERL and Python ## Footnote A mixture of languages is often used to balance performance and portability.
32
What defines a microkernel system structure?
Moves as much from the kernel into user space, uses message passing for communication ## Footnote Microkernels enhance reliability and security by minimizing the amount of code running in kernel mode.
33
What is a hybrid operating system?
Combines multiple approaches for performance, security, and usability needs ## Footnote Examples include Linux and Mac OS X, which integrate various architectural models.
34
What are loadable kernel modules?
Core components that are separate and can be loaded as needed within the kernel ## Footnote This approach allows for flexibility and modularity in kernel design.
35
What is a layered operating system structure?
Divided into layers, with each layer built on top of lower layers, the bottom being hardware and the top the user interface ## Footnote This structure promotes modularity and simplifies design.
36
True or False: Application programs are considered part of the operating system.
False ## Footnote Application programs typically run by users and are not considered part of the OS.
37
What is the primary goal of user goals in operating systems?
To be convenient to use, easy to learn, reliable, safe, and fast ## Footnote User satisfaction is a key aspect of OS design.
38
What are system goals for an operating system?
Easy to design, implement, maintain, flexible, reliable, error-free, and efficient ## Footnote These goals focus on the OS's operational effectiveness.
39
What does the Mac OS X kernel consist of?
Mach microkernel and BSD Unix parts, plus I/O kit and kernel extensions ## Footnote Kernel extensions are dynamically loadable modules.
40
What is the graphical user interface of Mac OS X called?
Aqua
41
What programming environment is used in Mac OS X?
Cocoa
42
What is iOS structured on?
Mac OS X
43
True or False: iOS applications run natively on OS X.
False
44
What CPU architecture does iOS run on?
ARM
45
What Objective-C API is used for developing apps in iOS?
Cocoa Touch
46
What layer in iOS provides media services for graphics, audio, and video?
Media services layer
47
What kind of environment does Android provide?
Open Source
48
True or False: Android is based on the Windows kernel.
False
49
What kernel is Android based on?
Linux kernel
50
What programming language is primarily used for developing Android apps?
Java
51
What does the Android runtime include?
Core libraries and Dalvik virtual machine
52
Fill in the blank: Debugging is finding and fixing _______.
errors
53
What does an operating system generate to contain error information?
Log files
54
What is a core dump file?
Captures memory of a failed application process
55
What does profiling involve in operating system debugging?
Periodic sampling of instruction pointer
56
Who stated, 'Debugging is twice as hard as writing the code in the first place'?
Kernighan
57
What does SYSGEN program do?
Obtains information about specific hardware configuration
58
What is the purpose of a bootstrap loader?
Locates the kernel, loads it into memory, and starts it
59
What is a common bootstrap loader used in systems?
GRUB
60
What happens when power is initialized on a system?
Execution starts at a fixed memory location
61
Fill in the blank: The operating system must be made available to _______ to start.
hardware

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