Systems Software

Question 1

What is the memory manager?

Answer 1

-splits RAM into segments
- assigns different process base on needs
- handle virtual memory

Question 2

What is process manager?

Answer 2

• multitasking and decide which order to run process

Question 3

What is a file manager?

Answer 3

Manage file system and secondary storage devices

Question 4

What is software?

Answer 4

Interact with OS and hardware drivers making use of the hardware

Question 5

What is application software?

Answer 5

Software that allows the user to carry out specific tasks

Question 6

What is paging?

Answer 6

• fixed size blocks of memory
• each page has an address
• process loaded into RAM is allocated sufficient pages but may not be next to each other

Question 7

What is segmentation?

Answer 7

• memory divided into segments which can be different lengths
• segments relate to different parts of the program( particular subroutine or function may occupy each segment)
• each segment stored in table and will record ID, start address and length of each segment

Question 8

What is virtual memory?

Answer 8

• move pages out of RAM onto disk
• memory manager notes which page is on the disk
• can be swapped back into memory and page table updated
• pages getting swapped in and out of memory DISK THRASHING

Question 9

What are the design goals for memory management?

Answer 9

• allocate enough memory so each process can run
• ensure security so the other processes cannot access each others data

Question 10

What is interrupts?

Answer 10

Electronic signals or process generated signal sent to CPU inform that devices/ process requires attention

Question 11

What is interrupt priority?

Answer 11

Interrupts can be interrupted themselves if the new one becomes a priority

Question 12

What are buffers?

Answer 12

Small pieces of memory in case CPU not ready to deal with the interrupt

Question 13

What is processor scheduling?

Answer 13

Decide which take to process for how long and what order achieved through scheduling algorithms

Question 14

What are the aims for processor scheduling?

Answer 14

1. Provide acceptable response time for user
2. Maximise time CPU is engaged for
3. Ensure fairness on multi-user system