ITC

Lesson 3

Operating Systems

CDE-AU

May 2024

Essay Type Questions

1. Describe the events that occur when a system is first turned on.

Ans.

When a computer system is first turned on, a series of

events, collectively known as the boot process, occur to
initialize the hardware components, load the operating
system into memory, and prepare the system for user
interaction. The exact sequence of events may vary
depending on the computer's architecture and
configuration, but the general steps are as follows:

1. Power-On Self-Test (POST):

 The power supply unit (PSU) delivers power to the

computer's components, and the central processing unit
(CPU) receives a reset signal to begin the boot process.
 The CPU executes the firmware code stored in a special
chip called the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) or
Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). This code
initiates the POST sequence.
 During POST, the BIOS/UEFI conducts a series of
diagnostic tests to check the integrity and functionality of
critical hardware components, including the CPU, memory
(RAM), storage devices (HDDs/SSDs), graphics card, and
input/output (I/O) devices. The results of the tests are
displayed on the screen as text or symbols, indicating
whether the hardware is functioning properly.

2. Initialization of Hardware Components:

 After completing POST, the BIOS/UEFI proceeds to

initialize the hardware components detected during the
diagnostic tests.
 This includes configuring system settings stored in the
CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor)
memory, such as the date and time, boot device priority,
and hardware parameters.
 The BIOS/UEFI also identifies and initializes connected
peripheral devices, such as keyboards, mice, monitors,
network adapters, and USB devices.

3. Boot Device Selection:

 Once the hardware initialization is complete, the BIOS/UEFI

selects the boot device from which to load the operating
system. This can be a hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state
drive (SSD), optical disc drive (DVD/CD), USB flash drive, or
 network boot server, depending on the system
configuration.
 The boot device is determined based on the boot order
specified in the BIOS/UEFI settings. The default boot order
typically prioritizes the primary storage device (e.g., HDD
or SSD) containing the operating system.

4. Loading the Operating System Loader:

 The BIOS/UEFI reads the first sector of the selected boot

device, known as the Master Boot Record (MBR) or GUID
Partition Table (GPT), which contains the bootloader
program.
 The bootloader program is responsible for loading the
operating system kernel into memory and transferring
control to the operating system's initialization code.

5. Operating System Initialization:

 The operating system kernel is loaded into memory and

begins executing its initialization routines.
 The kernel initializes system services, drivers, and essential
components required for the operating system to function,
such as the memory manager, process scheduler, device
drivers, and file system.
 Once the initialization process is complete, the operating
system presents the user with a login screen or graphical
user interface (GUI), indicating that the system is ready for
user interaction.

Overall, the boot process is a critical phase in the startup

sequence of a computer system, ensuring that hardware
components are functioning correctly and that the
operating system is loaded into memory and ready for
use.

2. What is an operating system ? Why is it necessary for a computer system ?

Q No. 23 Page No. 37 – ITC

3. List out various functions normally performed by an operating system .

Q No. 23 Page No. 37 – ITC.

4. List out various types of an operating system .

Q No. 22 Page No 36 – ITC .

5. Define the terms :

a) Batch processing

b) Multiprogramming

c) Mutliprocessing

d) Booting

Ans.

a) Batch Processing:
 Batch processing is a method of processing data in which
a group of similar tasks or jobs are collected and executed
together without manual intervention. These tasks are
typically processed sequentially, with each job in the batch
being executed one after another. Batch processing is
commonly used for tasks such as payroll processing,
billing, and generating reports.

b) Multiprogramming:

 Multiprogramming is a technique in computer operating

systems where multiple programs are loaded into memory
simultaneously and executed concurrently. The CPU
switches rapidly between different programs, allowing
each program to make progress even though the CPU can
only execute one instruction at a time. Multiprogramming
aims to maximize CPU utilization and improve system
throughput by overlapping the execution of multiple
programs.

c) Multiprocessing:

 Multiprocessing is a computing technique that involves

the simultaneous execution of multiple processes or
threads across multiple CPU cores or processors within a
single computer system. Unlike multiprogramming, which
involves switching between different programs on a single
CPU, multiprocessing utilizes multiple CPUs or CPU cores
 to execute tasks in parallel. Multiprocessing can
significantly improve system performance and throughput
by distributing workload across multiple processing units.

d) Booting:

 Booting, short for bootstrap loading, is the process of

starting up a computer system and loading its operating
system into memory for execution. When a computer is
turned on or reset, the hardware components undergo a
sequence of initialization steps known as the boot process.
This process typically involves powering on the system,
running diagnostic tests, initializing hardware components,
selecting a boot device, loading the operating system
kernel into memory, and transferring control to the
operating system initialization code. The term "booting"
originates from the phrase "pulling oneself up by the
bootstraps," indicating the self-starting nature of the
process.
Short Answer Questions

Bring Q No.s 2 and 5 here

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What is operating system?

A. collection of programs that manages hardware resources

B. system service provider to the application programs
C. link to interface the hardware and application programs
D. all of the mentioned√
2. To access the services of operating system, the interface is provided by the

A. system calls
B. API
C. library
D. assembly instructions√

3. Which one of the following error will be handle by the operating system?

A. power failure
B. lack of paper in printer
C. connection failure in the network
D. all of the mentioned√

4. The main function of the command interpreter is

A. to get and execute the next user-specified command√

B. to provide the interface between the API and application program
C. to handle the files in operating system
D. none of the mentioned

5. By operating system, the resource management can be done via

A. time division multiplexing

B. space division multiplexing
C. both (a) and (b)√
D. none of the mentioned

6. If a process fails, most operating system write the error information to a

A. log file√
B. another running process
C. new file
D. none of the mentioned

7. The systems which allows only one process execution at a time, are called

A. uniprogramming systems√
 B. uniprocessing systems
C. unitasking systems
D. none of the mentioned

8. In operating system, each process has its own

A. address space and global variables

B. open files
C. pending alarms, signals and signal handlers
D. all of the mentioned√

9. A process can be terminated due to

A. normal exit
B. fatal error
C. killed by another process
D. all of the mentioned√

10. What is the ready state of a process?

A. when process is scheduled to run after some execution√

B. when process is unable to run until some task has been completed
C. when process is using the CPU
D. none of the mentioned

Fill in the blank questions

1. Full name of FAT is ____ . ( File Allocation Table )

2. Meaning of booting of operating system is -------( Restarting )

3. After deletion of a file it goes here _____ ( Recycle bin )

4. Boot strapping is also called ----- ( Cold Boot )

5. ______ is a single user operating system . ( MSDOS)