An Operating System (OS) is an essential software that acts as an intermediary between computer hardware and the computer user. It provides a user-friendly environment in which a user can execute programs conveniently and efficiently.
Dive into this quiz to test your knowledge about the fundamental concepts of Operating Systems. Suitable for beginners, each question is accompanied by a concise explanation to enhance your understanding.
1. Which of the following is the primary role of an operating system?
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The OS serves as an interface between the user and the hardware, making it user-friendly and efficient for program execution.
2. What is the main function of the ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit)?
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ALU is responsible for performing both arithmetic (addition, subtraction, etc.) and logical operations (AND, OR, NOT, etc.).
3. Which of the following is considered non-volatile storage?
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Non-volatile storage retains data even when power is turned off. Among the options, only the Hard Disk is non-volatile.
4. Which process state is described as the process waiting for some event to occur?
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A process enters the blocked state when it awaits an event, like an input from the user or data from disk storage.
5. In the context of an OS, what is “Thrashing”?
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Thrashing occurs when an OS spends a disproportionate amount of its time swapping data between main memory and disk storage, leading to reduced efficiency.
6. Which component provides an interface between users and the operating system?
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Shell is the interface that allows users to interact with the operating system using commands.
7. What is a multi-threaded process?
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A multi-threaded process contains multiple threads, allowing multiple sequences or paths of code execution within the same process memory space.
8. The mechanism of allowing multiple tasks to run simultaneously on a single processor is known as:
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Multitasking is the concurrent execution of multiple tasks or processes on a single processor, giving the illusion that they’re running simultaneously.
9. What is the primary purpose of the OS’s scheduler?
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The scheduler determines the sequence in which processes access the CPU based on their priorities and other factors.
10. What is the function of the paging system in an OS?
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Paging is a memory management scheme that eliminates the need for contiguous allocation of physical memory, dividing it into fixed-sized blocks known as pages.
11. In OS, what is the role of a dispatcher?
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Once the scheduler selects a process, the dispatcher is responsible for giving control to that process.
12. Which of the following OS components manages all system resources?
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The kernel is the core component of an OS that manages system resources, interfacing directly with hardware.
13. In a multiprogramming system, when one program is waiting for I/O, what does the CPU do?
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In multiprogramming, the objective is to maximize CPU utilization. So, when one program waits for I/O, the CPU begins executing another program.
14. What is the purpose of a device driver in an OS?
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A device driver facilitates communication between the operating system and a hardware device, acting as a translator between the two.
15. Which type of operating system is designed to manage network resources?
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A Network Operating System is specifically designed to manage and coordinate network resources, ensuring smooth network operations.
16. In which memory segment does the OS store temporary data, such as function parameters and return addresses?
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The OS uses the stack segment to store temporary data, like function parameters and return addresses, in a Last-In-First-Out (LIFO) manner.
17. Which of the following is NOT a function of the operating system?
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While an operating system provides icons for user navigation, the design aspect of icons is not inherently a function of the operating system but rather of the interface design.
18. What term describes the duplication of system operations in a mirrored environment to ensure availability during failures?
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Fault tolerance refers to the ability of a system to continue to function properly in the event of a failure of some of its components.
19. Which OS component provides an interface for users to interact with the system?
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The shell provides an interface, which can be command-line or graphical, for users to communicate with the operating system.
20. Which of the following best describes real-time operating systems?
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Real-time operating systems are designed to respond to inputs or events without any delay or within a predictable time.
21. What is a daemon in the context of operating systems?
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A daemon is a background process that runs independently of interactive user sessions.
22. Which of the following is not a type of CPU scheduling algorithm?
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MJF is not a standard CPU scheduling algorithm. FCFS, RR, and SJF are common scheduling algorithms.
23. Which of the following best describes a lightweight process in operating systems?
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A lightweight process or thread is a smaller unit within a main process, sharing the same resources but can run independently.
24. In which memory storage is the operating system usually loaded?
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The operating system is usually loaded into RAM (Random Access Memory) because accessing data in RAM is much faster than from a hard drive. This ensures the OS operates efficiently.
25. What is a deadlock in the context of operating systems?
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Deadlock refers to a standstill situation where processes wait for each other to release resources and cannot proceed further.
26. What is swapping in the context of an operating system?
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Swapping is the process where data from RAM is moved to the disk (swap space) to free up RAM. When the data is needed again, it’s swapped back into RAM.
27. Which part of the operating system handles system calls?
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The kernel is the core part of an operating system and handles system calls, providing services to processes.
28. What does the file system in an OS do?
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The file system determines the way data is structured, stored, and retrieved on storage devices like hard drives.
29. What is the primary function of an operating system’s command interpreter?
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The command interpreter, or shell, interprets commands given by the user and instructs the operating system to execute them.
30. Which of the following is NOT a goal of an operating system?
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While operating systems do support software development by providing APIs and other tools, the primary goal of an OS is not to develop software. Instead, it manages system resources, ensures security, and provides user accessibility.