Question 1

Question 1Describe four tasks that are carried out by an operating system.

Accepted Answer

The four tasks that are carried out by an operating system are:Processor Management — The Processor management function of an OS allocates an important computer resource CPU to various running programs or applications. This function of an OS prepares, schedules, controls, and monitors jobs or processes submitted for execution to ensure the most efficient processing.Memory Management — The memory management function allocates memory to the running processes and de-allocates memory from the process, when it gets completed.Device Managementt — This function of an operating system is responsible for proper handling of input and output devices. This function ensures smooth reading of data from the input devices and sending the data to correct output devices.User Interface — The OS establishes a standard means of communication between users and their computer systems. It does this by providing a user interface and a standard set of commands that control the hardware.

Question 2

Question 2(a) The operating system of modern computers has progressed from a command-driven system to a graphical user interface (GUI). Describe three advantages to the user of using a graphical user interface rather than a command-driven system.(b) 'The operating system is the software heart to the machine.' Give a detailed explanation of what the operating system of a modern PC does.(c) Define the term 'operating environment'.(d) Define the term 'user interface', giving examples.

Accepted Answer

(a) Three advantages of using a graphical user interface rather than a command-driven system are:GUIs are very easy to learn and use making them extremely user friendly.User does not need prior computer skills or knowledge to perform operations through GUI.GUIs are visually appealing and provide immediate feedback, helping users understand the impact of their interactions.(b) The operating system (OS) of a modern PC is a fundamental software component that acts as the bridge between the hardware and the user. It plays a crucial role in managing and coordinating all the resources and functionalities of the computer system. It manages hardware resources, runs and coordinates software applications, provides user interfaces, ensures system security, and enables networking capabilities. The main functions of the operating system of a modern PC are:Processor Management — The Processor management function of an OS allocates an important computer resource CPU to various running programs or applications. This function of an OS prepares, schedules, controls, and monitors jobs or processes submitted for execution to ensure the most efficient processing.Memory Management — The memory management function allocates memory to the running processes and de-allocates memory from the process, when it gets completed.Device Management — This function of an operating system is responsible for proper handling of input and output devices. This function ensures smooth reading of data from the input devices and sending the data to correct output devices.File Management — An operating system governs the permanent storage and retrieval of data from/to an external storage device.User Interface — The OS establishes a standard means of communication between users and their computer systems. It does this by providing a user interface and a standard set of commands that control the hardware.(c) Operating environment refers to the specific conditions and factors in which a computer system operates. It includes things like the type of computer, operating system, network setup, and user interactions that can affect how the software functions. Understanding the operating environment helps ensure that the software works well and meets its requirements in that particular context.(d) A user interface (UI) is a means through which a user interacts with a computer system. It serves as a bridge between the user and the underlying technology, allowing users to communicate their intentions and receive feedback from the system in a human-readable and intuitive way.Some examples of user interfaces are:Command-Line Interface (CLI) — Unix, DOS.Graphical User Interface (GUI) — Windows, MAC OSTouchscreen Interface — Android, iOS.

Question 3

Question 3An operating system is a type of computer software.(a) Give four tasks that are carried out by all operating systems.(b) Describe one additional task that a multi-tasking operating system would be able to carry out(c) Describe one additional task that a multi-user operating system would be able to carry out.

Accepted Answer

(a) The four tasks that are carried out by an operating system are:Processor Management — The Processor management function of an OS allocates an important computer resource CPU to various running programs or applications. This function of an OS prepares, schedules, controls, and monitors jobs or processes submitted for execution to ensure the most efficient processing.Memory Management — The memory management function allocates memory to the running processes and de-allocates memory from the process, when it gets completed.Device Management — This function of an operating system is responsible for proper handling of input and output devices. This function ensures smooth reading of data from the input devices and sending the data to correct output devices.User Interface — The OS establishes a standard means of communication between users and their computer systems. It does this by providing a user interface and a standard set of commands that control the hardware.(b) Multi-tasking operating systems can handle the execution of multiple processes concurrently, often on a single CPU core. Task scheduling is a crucial function that decides which process gets CPU time and for how long. The OS uses scheduling algorithms to switch between processes rapidly, giving an illusion of simultaneous execution to the user.(c) Multi-user operating systems support multiple user accounts, and one of their essential tasks is to authenticate users during login. After successful authentication, the OS enforces access control, determining which resources each user is allowed to access and what level of permissions they have. This ensures data security and privacy, preventing unauthorized access to sensitive information and system settings.

Question 4

Question 4Graphical user interfaces (GUIs) are found on many computers' operating systems.(a) Why do computers need a user interface ?(b) Give one input device, other than a keyboard, that can be used with a graphical user interface.(c) Give four features of a graphical user interface.

Accepted Answer

(a) A user interface provides a way in which an operating system interacts with its users. A user interface makes computers accessible, user-friendly, and efficient. They enable users to interact with computers in a more natural and intuitive way, facilitating a wide range of tasks and applications for various types of users.(b) Mouse is used with a graphical user interface to point, click, drag, and interact with graphical elements on the screen, making it a fundamental input device for GUI-based systems.(c) The four features of a graphical user interface are as follows: —Windows — one can move around the screenIcons — one can click on to load programs and filesMenus — offer options to choose fromPointers — one can move around the screen.

Question 5

Question 1An ............... is a system software. It manages the resources of a computer system and makes a computer easy to use.

Accepted Answer

An operating system is a system software. It manages the resources of a computer system and makes a computer easy to use.

Question 6

Question 2Which of the following is NOT a function of the operating system ?deals with the transfer of programs in and out of memorycontrols the transfer of data to peripherals such as printersadjusts the bass level on a music file

Accepted Answer

adjusts the bass level on a music fileReason — The operating system deals with the transfer of programs in and out of memory and controls the transfer of data to peripherals such as printers but it doesn't adjust the bass level on a music file.

Question 7

Question 3Which of the following is NOT an operating system ?BendixWindows XPLinux

Accepted Answer

BendixReason — Windows XP and Linux are operating system. Bendix is a manufacturing company.

Question 8

Question 4When the computer has to react within a guaranteed time to an input, which type of operating system is the best ?multi-taskingreal-time processingbatch processing

Accepted Answer

real-time processingReason — In real time OS, the jobs have fixed deadlines and the jobs have to be completed within their deadlines. For example, RT Linux.

Question 9

Question 5Which type of operating system allows multiple tasks to run at the same time, each taking turns using the resources of the computer ?real-time processingbatch processingmulti-tasking

Accepted Answer

multi-taskingReason — A multitasking operating system has the ability to perform more than one task or operation at the same time. It allows multiple tasks to run at the same time, each taking turns using the resources of the computer.

Question 10

Question 6Which type of operating system will allow a number of users to use the same system at the same time ?multi-taskingmulti-processingmulti-user

Accepted Answer

multi-userReason — A multi-user operating system is a computer system designed to be used simultaneously by more than one user.

Question 11

Question 7Which type of operating system would be the best choice to control the braking system on a car ?real-time processingmulti-processingbatch processing

Accepted Answer

real-time processingReason — Real-time processing operating systems would be the best choice for controlling the braking system on a car to ensure rapid and reliable response times ensuring passenger safety as real-time processing operating systems are designed to provide timely and predictable responses to events.

Question 12

Question 8Which type of operating system would be needed to allow the students in a class to read a file that the teacher also had open ?batch processingmulti-usermulti-tasking

Accepted Answer

multi-userReason — A Multi-user operating system is designed to be used simultaneously by more than one user so it is the most appropriate choice for enabling students in a class to read a file that the teacher also has open.

Question 13

Question 9Which is the layer of a computer system between the hardware and the user program?Operating environmentOperating systemSystem environmentNone

Accepted Answer

Operating systemReason — The operating system (OS) acts as an intermediary between the hardware components of a computer and the user programs that run on it.

Question 14

Question 10Which of the following is NOT a function of an operating system ?Managing the computer's resources, such as the central processing unit, memory, disk drives, and printers.Formatting a word document.Establishing a user interface.Executing and providing services for applications software.

Accepted Answer

Formatting a word documentReason — Operating system is not responsible for formatting word documents or performing specific tasks related to user applications like word processing.

Question 15

Question 1An operating system managesMemoryProcessesDisks and I/O DevicesAll the above

Accepted Answer

All the aboveReason — An operating system manages a system's memory, processes and all the disks and I/O devices attached to the computer.

Question 16

Question 2Which is not the function of an operating system ?Memory managementDisk managementApplication program managementVirus protection

Accepted Answer

Virus protectionReason — The functions of an operating system include memory management, disk management and application program management. Virus protection is the function of an antivirus software.

Question 17

Question 3In which of the following OS types, the response type is very crucial ?Unix operating systemReal Time OSTime sharing OSSingle user OS

Accepted Answer

Real Time OSReason — Real-time operating systems are designed to provide immediate and deterministic responses to specific events or tasks.

Question 18

Question 4The component program of an OS, which is responsible for interacting with user is calledInteractive componentUser environmentOperating environment

Accepted Answer

User environmentReason — The User environment/interface is responsible for interacting with user.

Question 19

Question 5Explain what is meant by the term operating system.

Accepted Answer

An Operating System is a program which acts as an interface between a user and the hardware. It is an integrated set of programs that manages various resources and the overall operations of a computer system. It is designed to support the various activities of the computer system in a systematic way.For example — Microsoft Windows, Linux, etc.

Question 20

Question 6Give five functions of an operating system.

Accepted Answer

The five functions of an operating system are:Processor Management — An operating system allocates the CPU to various running programs or applications.Memory Management — An operating system allocates memory to the running processes and de-allocates memory from the process, when it gets completed.File Management — An operating system governs the permanent storage and retrieval of data from/to an external storage device.Device Management — An operating system is responsible for proper handling of input and output devices.User Interface — An operating system establishes a standard means of communication between users and their computer systems.

Basics of Operating System

Application Oriented Questions

Objective Type Questions

Theoretical Questions