Pakistan School, Ministry of Education, Kingdom of Bahrain

ONLINE GUDIANCE AND SUPPORT FOR HSSC-II

Ch 1: Operating System
Q1: What do you know about Operating System? Give Introduction to Operating System.

Ans: An operating System is the most important System software that runs on a computer. It manages
the computer memory & processes, software & hardware. It also allows users to communicate with the
computer. Without an operating system, a computer user cannot run any program on the computer. It
automatically loads in RAM when the computer is turned on.

Q2: Define Operating System. List commonly used operating system.

Ans: An operating System is a program that controls the execution of application programs and acts as
an interface between user of a computer and computer hardware.

Its primary goal is to provide convenience to user and secondary goal is to use computer
hardware in efficient manner.

The commonly used operating systems are DOS, Windows, OS X and UNIX/LINUX.

Q3: Which tasks are performed by Operating System?

Ans: Operating system performs the following tasks:

i. Loads application/system software into main memory & executes it.

ii. Controls the operation of main memory & external storage devices.
iii. Manages files & folders on storage devices.
iv. Manages the operations of all the I/O devices.
v. Allows multitasking.
vi. Performs network operations which enable a number of users to communicate with each other.
vii. Detects hardware failures.
viii. Provides security.

1.1.2 TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM:

Q3: Define DOS.

Ans: DOS stands for “Disk Operating System”. It is Command based OS, developed in 1070s when
microcomputer was introduced.

It was called Disk operating system as the entire operating system was stored on a single floppy disk.

Q4: What is purpose of following DOS commands?

Ans:
 Command Purpose of Command
CD For changing directory eg “CD c:\test” – it will change to subdirectory of C:
DIR To display directories & files in a directory
DEL To delete one or more files. Eg “DEL A.txt” – it will delete the file A.txt in the current
directory
FORMAT To format disk. It makes the disk useful my dividing into tracks & sectors. Eg “Format C:”
RENAME For renaming a file.

Q5: What do you know about Windows OS?

Ans: Windows OS is a GUI (Graphical User Operating System). It is user friendly OS. The user does not
have to memorize commands like DOS, instead they use icons, menus and buttons etc to give
commands.

Q6: List some popular versions of Windows.

Ans:

i. Windows 95
ii. Windows 98
iii. Windows 2000
iv. Windows XP
v. Windows Vista
vi. Windows 10

Q7: What do you know about Mac OS?

Ans: Mac OS is a series of OS developed by Potato. Mostly installed on Apple computers. The Latest
version is OS X. It is more secure & efficient as compared to Windows as Mac hardware & software
works together very well.

Q8: What do you know about UNIX?

Ans: UNIX OS was developed in early 1970s at bell Lab. It has greater processing power, Security & least
malware attack than Windows OS. It has both Command line & GUI interface.

Q9: What do you know about iOS & Android OS?

Ans: Google's Android and Apple's iOS are operating systems used primarily in mobile
technology, such as smartphones and tablets etc. Android is now the world's most commonly
used smartphone platform and is used by many different phone manufacturers. iOS is only used
on Apple devices, such as the iPhone.
1.1.3: Types of Operating Systems(OS)

Q10: List types of OS?

Ans:

i. Batch Processing OS
 ii. Multiprogramming OS
iii. Multitasking OS
iv. Time Sharing OS
v. Real Time OS
vi. Multiprocessor OS

Q11: Define Batch Processing OS.

Ans: It groups together same type of jobs in batches & automatically execute them one by one. It
performs the same type of task on all the jobs in a batch in the sequence in which they appear.

For example, at the end of month, banks print statement for each account holder. A batch processing
system can easily and efficiently print each account holder’s statement one by one.

Q12: Describe briefly Multiprogramming OS.

Ans: It is a software that loads one or more programs in main memory and executes them using a single
CPU (Central Processing Unit). In fact, the CPU executes only one program at a time while other
programs are waiting in queue.

In multiprogramming system when one program is busy with input/output operation, the CPU executes
another program that is in queue. In this way, multiprogramming operating system uses the CPU time
and other resources of computer to improve the performance of computer.

Advantages

i. High and efficient CPU utilization.

ii. User feels that many programs are allotted CPU almost simultaneously.

Disadvantages

 CPU scheduling is required.

 To accommodate many jobs in memory, memory management is required.
Q13: Define Multitasking Operating System

Ans: It is a OS that performs multiple tasks at the same time on a computer that has a single CPU. The
CPU executes only one program at a time but it rapidly switches between multiple programs and it
appears as if all the users’ programs are being executed at the same time.
Q14: Describe briefly Time-sharing Operating System.

Ans: A time-sharing operating system shares the CPU time between multiple programs that are loaded
in main memory. A time-sharing operating system gives a very short period of CPU time to each program
one by one. This short period of time is called time slice or quantum.

The CPU is switched between the programs at extremely fast speed, all the users get the impression of
having their own CPU.

It is used in mini and mainframe computers that support large number of users in big organization such
as airline, bank, university, Military etc.

Q15: Describe briefly Real-Time-sharing Operating System.

Ans: A real-time operating system is a software that runs real-time applications that must process data
as soon as it comes and provides immediate response. Real-time operating system executes special
applications within specified.

They executes special applications within specified time with high reliability. It is used in:

 space research programs

 real-time traffic control
 and to control industrial processes such as oil refining.

Q16: Describe briefly Multiprocessor Operating System.

Ans: A multiprocessor operating system is a software that controls the operations of two or more CPUs
within a single computer system. All the CPUs of computer share the same main memory and
input/output devices. It executes a single program using many CPUs at the same time to improve
processing speed.

Uses: Multiprocessing operating systems are used to obtain very high speed to process large
amount of data.

Q17: Describe briefly Parallel Processing Operating System.

Ans: It executes programs developed in a parallel programming language. It uses many processors at the
same time. In a parallel processing system, the task of a program that requires many calculations is
divided into many smaller tasks and these are processed by multiple processors at the same time.

Uses: They are used in supercomputers that have thousands processors.

Q18: Describe briefly Distributed Operating System.

Ans: It manages the operation of a distributed system. A distributed system allows execution of
application software on different computers in a network.

. Multiple central processors are used by Distributed systems to serve multiple real-
time applications and multiple users. Accordingly, Data processing jobs are distributed among
the processors.
Q19: Describe briefly Embedded Operating System

Ans: It is a built-in operating system which is embedded in the hardware of the device. It controls the
operation of devices such as microwave oven, TV, camera, washing machine, games, etc. It runs
automatically when the device is turned on and performs specific task.

Q20: Differentiate between single user & multiuser Operating System.

Ans:

Single User OS Multi User OS

Only one user can access the computer system at a Multiple users can access the computer
time. system at a time.
These types of operating systems are commonly These types of operating systems are
found in home computers. commonly used in Offices & Businesses.
There are two types of single user operating Time Sharing & Distributed OS are some
systems called single user, single task operating types.
system and single user, multi-task operating system.
Simple Complex
Eg: Windows, Apple MAC Unix, Linux
OPERATING SYSTEM FUNCTIONS

Q21: List functions of Operating System.

Ans: The following are the functions performed by operating system.

i. Process Management
ii. Memory Management
iii. File Management
iv. I/O Management
v. Secondary Storage Management
vi. Network Management
vii. Protection System
viii. Command-interpreter

Q22: Describe functions of Operating System in Detail.

Ans:

i. Process Management: A process is a program in execution. Process management is the part

of operating system that manages allocation of computer resources (like CPU time) to
 various processes in main memory. Process management actually describes the state and
resource ownership of each process.
Example: In this example there are 3 processes X, Y and Z ready for execution. The OS will
manage the CPU time as follows.
Process A has CPU cycle (ta = 5 milli sec)
Process B has CPU cycle (tb = 2 milli sec)
Process C has CPU cycle (tc = 1 milli sec)
Case 1: When the 3 processes become ready in the order of XYZ, the total execution time
will be: τ = (5 + 7 + 8)/3 = 6.67 milli sec
Case 2: When the 3 processes become ready in the order of YZX, the total execution time
will be: τ = (2 + 3 + 8)/3 = 4.33 milli sec
In Case2, the OS is managing the processes more efficiently. The execution time in Case 2 is
less as compare to Case 1.
ii. Memory Management : It controls and manages the operation of main memory during the
operation of computer. It allocates space to programs which are loaded in main memory for
execution. It keeps track of free memory when a program is closed and updates the memory
status.

iii. File Management : OS manages files and folders on storage devices eg hard disk, USB flash
drive and DVD. It allows computer user to perform operations such as creating, copying,
moving, renaming, deleting, and searching files and folders. It also allows the user to
perform read, write, open and close operations upon files and folders.

iv. I/O Management: I/O management is the part of operating system that controls all the
input & output operations during program execution. It manages all the input/output
operations of input/output and storage devices. Efficient I/O management improves the
performance of computer.

v. Secondary Storage Management: OS manages free space and storage allocation of user
programs and data on secondary storage devices.

Eg: Program ‘A’ is ready to be stored in Harddisk. Now OS will look for any free space in the
Hard disk and assign proper address to it. If space is not available, OS will prompt the user to
empty some space.

vi. Network Management: Network management is the part of network operating system that
monitors and manages the resources of a network. It creates user groups and assigns
privileges to them. It shares the network resources among users and detects and fixes
network problems.
vii. Protection System: It ensures that each resource of computer is used according to the
privileges given to users by the system administrator. It creates account for each user and
gives privileges to prevent misuse of the system eg provides user name & password to
maintain network security.
viii. Command-Interpreter : It provides interface between user and the computer system. It is a
file in operating system that reads and executes user commands entered as text through
keyboard.
For example, Windows operating system uses the cmd.exe file as command-interpreter.
 PROCESS MANAGEMENT
Q23: Define process management.

Ans: Process management is an important task of operating system. It allocates systems resources to
various processes so that they can run efficiently.

Q24: Define process. Also give example.

Ans: A process is a program in execution.

Process is a part of program under execution that is scheduled and controlled by operating system.
When a program is loaded in memory for execution, it becomes a process.

A program is an executable code that is stored in disk as a text file whereas a process is a dynamic
instance of a program during its execution in RAM.

It represents basic unit of work. It uses various resources of computer such as CPU time, files, I/O
devices, memory, etc.

For example, when we write a program in C or C++ and compile it, the compiler creates a binary code.
The original code and Binary code, both are programs. When we actually run the binary code, it
becomes a process.

Q25: Describe briefly five states of a process.

Five states of a process are: new, ready, running, waiting and terminated.

i. New State: This is the first state of a process when it is created. Any new operation or service that is
requested by a program for execution by the processor is known as new state of process.
ii. Ready State: A process is said to be in ready state when it is ready for execution but it is waiting to
be assigned to the processor by the operating system.
iii. Running State: A process is said to be in running state when it is being executed by the processor. A
process is assigned to a processor for execution by operating system.
iv. Blocked State/Waiting State: A process is in blocked or waiting state when it is not under
execution. It is waiting for a resource to become available.
v. Terminated State: A process is in terminated state when it completes its execution.

Q26: Define process & thread

Ans: In programming, there are two basic units of execution: processes and threads. They both execute
a series of instructions. A Process is an instance of a program that is being executed. A process may be
made up of multiple threads. A Thread is a basic ordered sequence of instructions within a process that
can be executed independently. The threads are made of a Process & exist within a process; every
process has at least one thread. Multiple threads can also exist in a process and share resources.
Q: Choose the Correct answer

i. _______ allocates systems resources to various processes so that they can run efficiently.

a) Process b) Process Management

c) System d) None of these

ii. Process is a part of program under execution that is scheduled and controlled by operating
system.
a) Process b) Process Management
c) System d) None of these

iii. Any new operation or service that is requested by a program for execution by the processor is
known as ______ state of process.
a) Block b) Running
c) New d) Ready

iv. When process is ready for execution but it is waiting to be assigned to the processor by the
operating system is said to be in ______ state
a) Block b) Running
c) New d) Ready
v. When a process is assigned to a processor for execution by operating system, it is said to be in
_______ state.
a) Block b) Running
c) New d) Ready
vi. When process is not under execution, It is waiting for a resource to become available called
_______ state of process
a) Block b) Running
c) New d) Ready
vi. ________ is a subset of the process
a) Process b) Process Management
c) Sub-System d) Thread
vii. The process of executing multiple threads simultaneously is known as
a) Process b) Multiprocessing
c) Multithreading d) Thread
viii. Loading multiple (programs, processes, tasks, threads) in main memory and executes them at
the same time by rapidly switching the CPU among them.
a) Multitasking b) Multiprocessing
c) Multithreading d) Multiprogramming
ix. In ______________many programs are loaded in memory but the CPU only executes one
program at a time
a) Multitasking b) Multiprocessing
c) Multithreading d) Multiprogramming
x. ____________the ability of an operating system to execute more than one process
simultaneously on a multi-processor machine (having more than one CPUs).
a) Multitasking b) Multiprocessing
c) Multithreading d) Multiprogramming