Operating Systems

The software that supports a computer's basic functions, such as executing applications, is called ___

• a compiler

• an operating system

• a graphical user interface

• a debugger

In what decade did operating systems get their start, by augmenting manual tasks?

• the 1930s

• the 1940s

• the 1950s

• the 1960s

When a computer was done with one program, it would automatically start the next. This was called ___

• array sorting

• cluster compiling

• multitasking

• batch processing

Hardware devices connected to a computer, such as keyboards and printers, are called ___

• peripherals

• branch segments

• modules

• spin-off components

Programmers often had to write code for early peripherals by ___

• accessing every model

• buying every model

• trial and error

• reading manuals

In order to interface with hardware peripherals OSs provide a software abstraction, through APIs, called ___

• accessory handlers

• periphery launchers

• device drivers

• equipment taggers

Device drivers allow programmers to use standardized mechanisms to talk with common ___

• input and output hardware

• software modules

• mainframe computers

• subroutines

In the late 50’s, the University of Manchester, in the UK, started work on a supercomputer called ___

• BINAC

• ENIAC

• Titan

• Atlas

The Atlas Supervisor, which could run several programs at the same time, was finished in ___

• 1955

• 1962

• 1969

• 1976

The ability to run many programs simultaneously, enabled by the Operating System, is called ___

• multitasking

• overclocking

• hyperthreading

• processor juggling