Review Chapter 1

1. What are the four (4) components of a Computer System?

• Hardware – provides basic computing resources
• CPU, memory, I/O devices
• Operating system
• Controls and coordinates use of hardware among various applications
and users
• Application programs – define the ways in which the system resources are used to solve
the computing problems of the users
• Word processors, compilers, web browsers, database systems, video
games
• Users
• People, machines, other computers

2. What are the three (3) goals of an Operating system?

• Execute user programs and make solving user problems easier
• Make the computer system convenient to use
• Use the computer hardware in an efficient manner

3. What are the four (4) components of an operating systems and describe their functions?
User interface
File Management System
Input/Output
Memory Management
Kernel

4. Describe the two stages of transferring data from a storage device to RAM.
• I/O devices and the CPU can execute concurrently.
• Each device controller is in charge of a particular device type
• Each device controller has a local buffer
• I/O is from the device to local buffer of controller
• Device controller moves data to/from device to its own buffer

• CPU moves data from/to main memory to/from local buffers

• Direct Memory Access (DMA) is also possible without use of the CPU
• Device controller informs CPU that it has finished its operation by causing an interrupt

5. What is an interrupt and what is its purpose?

An interrupt is a signal that a device uses to get the attention of the CPU and is usually
generated when I/O is required. For example, hardware interrupts are generated when
a key is pressed or when the mouse is moved. Software interrupts are generated by a
program requiring disk input or output.
An internal timer may continually interrupt the computer several times per second to
keep the time of day current or for time-sharing purposes.

When an interrupt occurs, control is transferred to the operating system, which

determines the action to be taken. Interrupts are prioritised; the higher the priority, the
faster the interrupt will be serviced.

6. Describe the purpose of the two (2) modes of OS operation.

User mode for executing user processes
Kernel gives processes direct access to hardware
Mode bit provided by hardware
i. Provides ability to distinguish when system is running user code or kernel
code
ii. Some instructions designated as privileged, only executable in kernel
mode
iii. System call changes mode to kernel, return from call resets it to user

7. What is caching and where is it used?

Caching – copying information into faster storage system; main memory can be viewed
as a cache for secondary storage.

8. List two (2) activities for which the OS is responsible for in Process Management.
 Creating and deleting both user and system processes
Suspending and resuming processes
Providing mechanisms for process synchronization
Providing mechanisms for process communication
Providing mechanisms for deadlock handling

9. List two (2) activities for which the OS is responsible for in memory Management.
Keeping track of which parts of memory are currently being used and by whom
Deciding which processes (or parts thereof) and data to move into and out of memory
Allocating and deallocating memory space as needed

10. List five (5) computing environments.

• Traditional,
• Mobile,
• Distributed,
• Client server
• Peer-to-peer
• Virtualization