What is the primary purpose of system calls in an operating system?
A File Access
B Process Control
C Memory Allocation
D Device Management
System calls provide an interface between user programs and the operating system. They enable processes to request services such as process creation, termination, and scheduling, allowing the operating system to manage processes effectively.
What is the key function of user mode in an operating system?
A Execute User Applications
B Manage System Resources
C Access Restricted Memory
D Control Hardware
In user mode, applications are executed with limited privileges. They cannot directly access system resources or critical hardware components, ensuring that user programs do not interfere with the core system operations for security and stability.
Which of the following best describes kernel mode in an operating system?
A Restricted Access
B User Program Execution
C Safe for Processes
D Direct Hardware Access
In kernel mode, the operating system has unrestricted access to system resources, including the CPU, memory, and hardware devices. This mode allows the OS to perform critical functions, such as process management and device handling.
What role does interprocess communication (IPC) play in an operating system?
A Memory Allocation
B Process Scheduling
C Data Exchange Between Processes
D User Authentication
IPC enables processes to communicate with each other, allowing data exchange and synchronization. Mechanisms such as message passing, shared memory, and semaphores facilitate coordination among processes running concurrently in the system.
What is the role of a device driver in an operating system?
A Process Control
B Manage Hardware Communication
C Manage Network Traffic
D Execute User Programs
Device drivers allow the operating system to communicate with hardware devices. They convert OS commands into device specific instructions, enabling the system to control peripherals like printers, keyboards, and storage devices.
What is the main advantage of using cloud based operating systems?
A Limited Resources
B Offline Accessibility
C Centralized Storage
D High Security
Cloud based operating systems store data and applications on remote servers, offering centralized storage and access. This approach enhances data management, scalability, and allows users to access resources from anywhere via the internet.
Which scheduling algorithm allocates CPU time to the process with the shortest execution time?
A Priority Scheduling
B Round Robin
C Shortest Job First
D First Come, First Served
The Shortest Job First (SJF) scheduling algorithm selects the process with the shortest burst time (the time required for completion) to run next, minimizing the average waiting time in the system and improving efficiency.
Which of the following is a key feature of a distributed operating system?
A Resource Sharing Across Network
B Centralized Management
C Single Point of Failure
D Local File Storage
Distributed operating systems manage a network of independent computers, allowing them to share resources such as processing power, memory, and storage. This enables high availability, load balancing, and fault tolerance across the system.
What is a microkernel’s main characteristic compared to a monolithic kernel?
A Large and Complex
B Limited Functionality
C Simple Design
D High Performance
A microkernel provides a minimal core that only handles essential system services like process scheduling and communication. Other functionalities, such as device management, run in user space, making the system more modular and easier to maintain.
Which of the following is an example of a mobile operating system?
A iOS
B Windows
C MacOS
D Linux
iOS is a mobile operating system developed by Apple, designed for use on devices such as iPhones and iPads. It is known for its closed ecosystem, optimized performance, and security features.
What is the main advantage of a monolithic kernel?
A Simple Architecture
B Modularity
C Fault Isolation
D Performance Efficiency
A monolithic kernel integrates all critical system services (e.g., memory management, file systems, device drivers) into one large kernel, improving performance by reducing communication overhead between components compared to a microkernel.
What is the role of a shell in an operating system?
A Perform Security Functions
B Manage Memory
C Interface for User Commands
D Control Hardware
The shell is the command line interface that allows users to interact with the operating system by entering commands. It interprets user input and runs the appropriate commands, offering control over system operations.
What is a hypervisor’s primary function in virtualization?
A Manage Multiple VMs
B Allocate CPU Resources
C Handle Networking
D Store Virtual Disks
A hypervisor is software that enables virtualization by allowing multiple virtual machines (VMs) to run on a single physical machine. It manages VMs’ access to system resources, ensuring isolation and efficient resource distribution.
Which memory management technique divides memory into fixed size pages?
A Virtual Memory
B Paging
C Segmentation
D Fragmentation
Paging divides memory into fixed size blocks called pages, which helps eliminate fragmentation. Pages can be allocated non contiguously, making memory usage more efficient and enabling larger programs to run with limited physical memory.
What does the boot process in an operating system primarily involve?
A Start User Applications
B Configure Device Drivers
C Load Kernel Into Memory
D Initialize Networking
During the boot process, the operating system’s kernel is loaded into memory. It initializes the hardware, loads necessary device drivers, and prepares the system for execution of user applications and system tasks.