Understanding Operating Systems

What is the primary role of an operating system?

• To serve as a database management system.

• To provide internet connectivity to devices.

• The primary role of an operating system is to manage computer hardware and software resources.

• To run applications without any user input.

Define process management in the context of operating systems.

• Process management is the coordination of processes in an operating system, including their creation, scheduling, and termination.

• Process management is solely about memory allocation.

• Process management is the process of installing software updates.

• Process management refers to the management of hardware resources.

How does an operating system handle multitasking?

• An operating system only allows one application to run at a time.

• An operating system uses a single core to run all tasks simultaneously.

• An operating system uses a scheduler and context switching to manage multitasking.

• An operating system requires manual switching between tasks by the user.

What is a process control block (PCB)?

• A process control block (PCB) is a type of hardware component.

• A process control block (PCB) is a data structure that contains information about a process, including its state, process ID, and resource allocation.

• A process control block (PCB) is a network protocol for data transmission.

• A process control block (PCB) is a software application for managing files.

Explain the concept of context switching.

• Context switching refers to the method of increasing CPU speed by overclocking.

• Context switching is the process of shutting down a CPU to save power.

• Context switching is a technique used to enhance graphics performance in gaming.

• Context switching allows multiple processes to share a single CPU, enabling multitasking in operating systems.

What is memory management and why is it important?

• Memory management is about increasing storage capacity.

• Memory management is crucial for efficient resource utilization, system performance, and preventing memory-related errors.

• Memory management has no impact on system performance.

• Memory management is only relevant for gaming applications.

Describe the difference between physical and virtual memory.

• Physical memory is stored on a hard drive.

• Virtual memory is faster than physical memory.

• Physical memory is a type of virtual memory.

• Physical memory is the actual RAM, while virtual memory is a simulated memory using disk space.

What is paging in memory management?

• Paging is a technique that compresses data in memory.

• Paging involves dividing physical memory into variable-sized segments.

• Paging is a memory management technique that divides virtual memory into fixed-size pages and maps them to physical memory frames.

• Paging is a method for encrypting data stored in memory.

How does an operating system allocate memory to processes?

• An operating system allocates memory to processes by managing memory through techniques like paging and segmentation, tracking usage with a memory management unit.

• An operating system uses a fixed-size memory block for all processes regardless of their needs.

• Memory allocation is done solely based on the process's priority level.

• An operating system allocates memory by randomly assigning it to processes without tracking usage.

What is a file system and what are its main functions?

• A file system is a hardware component that stores data permanently.

• A file system is a protocol for transferring files over the internet.

• A file system is a type of software for creating applications.

• A file system is a method for managing files on a storage device, with main functions including file organization, storage allocation, data retrieval, and access control.