1. What are the three main purposes of an Operating System?

*to provide an environment for a user to execute programming

conveniently and efficiently

* to simulate features not available on hardware

*to control all the computer’s resource and to provide the base upon

which the application program can be written

2. What is multiprogramming? What is the main advantage of

multiprogramming?

* A multiprogramming is a parallel processing in which the

multiple programs can run simultaneously.

* Advantages of multiprogramming systems

 CPU is used most of time and never become idle
 The system looks fast as all the tasks runs in parallel
 Short time jobs are completed faster than long time jobs
 Multiprogramming systems support multiply users
 Resources are used nicely

* Disadvantages of multiprogramming systems

 It is difficult to program a system because of complicated schedule
handling
 Tracking all tasks/processes is sometimes difficult to handle
 Due to high load of tasks, long time jobs have to wait long

3.What is time-sharing? What is the main advantage of time-

shared system?
*time-sharing is the sharing of a computing resource among
many users by means of multiprogramming and multi-tasking at

the same time

 * Advantages of Timesharing operating systems are following:

* Provide advantage of quick response

* Avoids duplication of software

* Reduces CPU idle time

* Disadvantages of Timesharing operating systems are following:

* Problem of reliability

* Question of security and integrity of user programs and data

* Problem of data communication

4. In a multiprogramming and time-sharing environment, several users

share the system simultaneously. This situation can result in various

security problems.

a) What are the problems? (Name at least two problems)

b) Can we ensure the same degree of security in time-shared

machine as we have in a dedicated machine? Explain your answer.

5 .What are the main differences between operating systems for

mainframe computers and personal computers?

* Generally, operating systems for batch systems have simpler

requirements than for personal computers. Batch systems do not have

to be concerned with interacting with a user as much as a personal

computer. As a result, an operating system for a PC must be concerned

with response time for an interactive user. Batch systems do not have

such requirements. A pure batch system also may have not to handle
 time sharing, whereas an operating system must switch rapidly

between different jobs.

6. What is the purpose of interrupts? What are the differences between

a trap and an interrupt?

* Interrupts are calls to the CPU that inform the system about

peripherals and other system programs.

* The main difference between trap and interrupt is that trap is

triggered by a user program to invoke OS functionality while

interrupt is triggered by a hardware device to allow the processor

to execute the corresponding interrupt handler routine.

7. Advantages of the multitasking operating system and how the

system achieves the advantage.

*Timesharing:

Time-sharing is the main concept and benefit of MOS. All tasks are given a
suitable amount of time and no waiting time occurs for the CPU.

Handle multiple users:

Multiple users running multiple programs can be best handled by MOS. All
programs run smoothly without a glitch in performance. All users of OS are
given a suitable amount of time.

Protected memory:

Memory is better managed in MOS. Unauthorized applications are not given

permission to overuse memory.

8. Describe two main advantages of a multiprocessor system.

*Increased Throughput − By increasing the number of processors, more

work can be completed in a unit time.
 Cost Saving − Parallel system shares the memory, buses, peripherals etc.
Multiprocessor system thus saves money as compared to multiple single
systems. Also, if a number of programs are to operate on the same data, it
is cheaper to store that data on one single disk and shared by all
processors instead of using many copies of the same data.
Increased Reliability − In this system, as the workload is distributed among
several processors which results in increased reliability. If one processor
fails then its failure may slightly slow down the speed of the system but
system will work smoothly.

9. List two operating system designs other than the microkernel.

*Solaris, Linux, Mac OS X.

10. Multiprogramming system requires the following OS features / tasks. Explain the
reasons. (Job scheduling ) ( Memory management)

11. the main differences between a process and a program.

* A program and a process are related terms. The major difference

between program and process is that program is a group of instructions

to carry out a specified task whereas the process is a program in

execution. While a process is an active entity, a program is considered to

be a passive one

12. What is the purpose of system calls?

*It allows the process to send request to kernel that

perform some action on the process behalf.

*A system call changes the processor state from user mode

to kernel mode, so that the CPU can access protected

kernel memory

13.three methods to pass parameters to the OS.

1. *Parameters can be passed in registers.
2. When there are more parameters than registers, parameters can be
stored in a block and the block address can be passed as a parameter
to a register.
3. Parameters can also be pushed on or popped off the stack by the
operating system.