Review Questions 2

1. List 6 main OS services useful for the user.

a. User interface - Almost all operating systems have a user interface (UI).
i. Varies between Command-Line (CLI), Graphics User Interface (GUI), Batch
b. Program execution - The system must be able to load a program into memory and to
run that program, end execution, either normally or abnormally (indicating error)
c. I/O operations - A running program may require I/O, which may involve a file or an
I/O device
d. File-system manipulation - The file system is of particular interest. Programs need to
read and write files and directories, create and delete them, search them, list file
Information, permission management.
e. Communications – Processes may exchange information, on the same computer or
between computers over a network
i. Communications may be via shared memory or through message passing
(packets moved by the OS)
f. Error detection – OS needs to be constantly aware of possible errors
i. May occur in the CPU and memory hardware, in I/O devices, in user program
ii. For each type of error, OS should take the appropriate action to ensure
correct and consistent computing
iii. Debugging facilities can greatly enhance the user’s and programmer’s
abilities to efficiently use the system

2. List 3 main OS services for efficient operation for the system.

a. Resource allocation - When multiple users or multiple jobs running concurrently,
resources must be allocated to each of them
i. Many types of resources - CPU cycles, main memory, file storage, I/O
devices.
b. Accounting - To keep track of which users use how much and what kinds of computer
resources
c. Protection and security - The owners of information stored in a multiuser or
networked computer system may want to control use of that information, concurrent
processes should not interfere with each other
i. Protection involves ensuring that all access to system resources is controlled
ii. Security of the system from outsiders requires user authentication, extends
to defending external I/O devices from invalid access attempts

3. List three different methods of providing a user interface?

Command Line Interface (CLI)
Graphic User Interface (GUI)
Touch Screen Interface

4. How does an API implement a system call?

 System call provides the services of the operating system to the user programs via
Application Program Interface (API). It provides an interface between a process and operating
system to allow user-level processes to request services of the operating system. System calls
are the only entry points into the kernel system.

5. Describe 3 functions provided by the kernel.

The kernel is a computer program that is the core of a computer’s Operating System, with
complete control over everything in the system. It handles the rest of start-up as well as
input/output requests from software, translating them into data processing instructions for
the central processing unit.
Resource allocation- The kernel’s primary function is to manage the computer’s resources
and allow other programs to run and use these resources.

6. What are the two basic goal groups that must be considered when designing an operating
system?
a. User goals – operating system should be convenient to use, easy to learn, reliable,
safe, and fast
b. System goals – operating system should be easy to design, implement, and
maintain, as well as flexible, reliable, error-free, and efficient

7. Name at least two activities the operating system is responsible for in connection with disk
management.

8. What is the name of the small piece of code that locates the kernel and loads it into main
memory?

Bootstrap loader