OPERATING SYSTEM IMPORTANT QUESTION ANSWER Part 10

OPERATING SYSTEM IMPORTANT QUESTION ANSWER PART 10

for IGNOU BCA MCA Students

30) What is the best page size when designing an operating system?

The best paging size varies from system to system, so there is no single best when it comes to page size. There are different factors to consider in order to come up with a suitable page size, such as page table, paging time, and its effect on the overall efficiency of the operating system.

31) When designing the file structure for an operating system, what attributes are considered?

Typically, the different attributes for a file structure are naming, identifier, supported file types, and location for the files, size, and level of protection.

32) What is root partition?

Root partition is where the operating system kernel is located. It also contains other potentially important system files that are mounted during boot time.

33) What are device drivers?

Device drivers provides a standard means of representing I/O devices that maybe manufactured by different companies. This prevents conflicts whenever such devices are incorporated in a systems unit.

34) What are the primary functions of VFS?

VFS, or Virtual File System, separates file system generic operations from their implementation by defining a clean VFS interface. It is also based on a file-representation structure known as vnode, which contains a numerical designator needed to support network file systems.

35) What are the different types of CPU registers in a typical operating system design?

- Accumulators

- Index Registers

- Stack Pointer

- General Purpose Registers

36) What is the purpose of an I/O status information?

I/O status information provides info about which I/O devices are to be allocated for a particular process. It also shows which files are opened, and other I/O device state.

37) What is multitasking?

Multitasking is the process within an operating system that allows the user to run several

applications at the same time. However, only one application is active at a time for user interaction, although some applications can run "behind the scene".

38) What are some pros and cons of a command line interface?

A command line interface allows the user to type in commands that can immediately provide results. Many seasoned computer users are well accustomed to using the command line because they find it quicker and simpler. The main problem with a command line interface is that users have to be familiar with the commands, including the switches and parameters that come with it. This is a downside for people who are not fond of memorizing commands.

39) What is caching?

Caching is the processing of utilizing a region of fast memory for a limited data and process. A

cache memory is usually much efficient because of its high access speed.

40) What is spooling?

Spooling is normally associated with printing. When different applications want to send an output to the printer at the same time, spooling takes all of these print jobs into a disk file and queues them accordingly to the printer.

41) What is an Assembler?

An assembler acts as a translator for low level language. Assembly codes, written using mnemonic commands are translated by the Assembler into machine language.

42) What are interrupts?

Interrupts are part of a hardware mechanism that sends a notification to the CPU when it wants to gain access to a particular resource. An interrupt handler receives this interrupt signal and "tells" the processor to take action based on the interrupt request.

43) What is GUI?

GUI is short for Graphical User Interface. It provides users with an interface wherein actions can be performed by interacting with icons and graphical symbols. People find it easier to interact with the computer when in a GUI especially when using the mouse. Instead of having to remember and type commands, users just click on buttons to perform a process.

44) What is preemptive multitasking?

Preemptive multitasking allows an operating system to switch between software programs. This in turn allows multiple programs to run without necessarily taking complete control over the processor and resulting in system crashes.