What is an Operating System (OS)?
System software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides common services for computer programs
Examples include Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android.
List the key functions of an Operating System.
- Process Management
- Memory Management
- File Management
- Device Management
- Security and Access Control
These functions are essential for managing resources and ensuring system security.
What are the types of Operating Systems?
- Batch OS
- Time-Sharing OS
- Real-Time OS (RTOS)
- Distributed OS
Each type serves different purposes and user needs.
Define Kernel in the context of an Operating System.
The core part of the OS, responsible for low-level operations
Types of kernels include Monolithic and Microkernel.
What is a Process?
A program in execution
Process states include New, Running, Waiting, and Terminated.
What is Context Switching?
The process of saving and restoring the state of a process
It allows multiple processes to share the CPU effectively.
What is Virtual Memory?
Allows the OS to use disk space as ‘RAM’ for large applications
It helps in managing memory more efficiently.
What are the components of a File System?
- Files
- Directories
- Metadata
These components help organize and store data.
What is the role of Device Drivers?
Software that allows the OS to interact with hardware devices
Examples include printer drivers, graphics drivers, and network drivers.
Differentiate between CLI and GUI.
- CLI: Text-based interface
- GUI: Visual interface with windows, icons, and menus
CLI is fast and scriptable, while GUI is user-friendly and intuitive.
What is Authentication in Operating System security?
Verifying user identity
It is a critical step in ensuring system security.
What does Authorization refer to?
Granting access to resources
It determines what resources a user can access after authentication.
What is Spooling?
Managing output tasks via queues
An example is a printer spooler that queues print jobs.
What is the purpose of Process Scheduling?
Determines which process runs at a given time
It is essential for multitasking and resource management.
What is Preemptive Scheduling?
The OS can interrupt a running process at any time
This allows for better resource allocation among processes.
What is a Semaphore?
A synchronization mechanism to control access to shared resources
It helps in handling competition for resources.
What is the Memory Hierarchy?
- Cache
- RAM
- Virtual Memory
This hierarchy is crucial for efficient memory management.
What is Bootstrapping?
The process of loading the OS from storage into RAM
It begins with the boot loader.
What are the process states?
- New
- Running
- Waiting
- Terminated
These states represent the lifecycle of a process.
What is the User Interface in an Operating System?
Allows users to interact with the system
It can be a Command Line Interface (CLI) or a Graphical User Interface (GUI).
What is Deadlock?
A condition where two or more processes cannot proceed because each is waiting for the other to release resources
Classic examples include the railroad scenario.
