ASAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

CS 6401 OPERATING SYSTEMS

UNIT I - 2 Marks with Answers
1. Define Operating System?
An Operating System is a program that acts as an intermediary between the user
of a computer system and the computer hardware. The purpose of an operating system is
to provide an environment in which a user can execute programs in a convenient and
efficient manner.
2. What is Graceful degradation?
In multiprocessor systems, failure of one processor will not halt the system, but
only slow it down. If there are 15 processors and if one fails, the remaining 14 processors
pick up the work of the failed processors. This ability to continue providing service
proportional to the surviving hardware is called graceful degradation.
3. What is a Bootstrap Program?
The initial program to start the computer operating system is the bootstrap
program. It is stored within the computer hardware in ROM or in EEPROM.
4. What is Virtual Machine and Virtualization? Mention the benefits of virtual
Machine.
A virtual machine is a software that creates a virtualized environment between the
computer platform and the end user in which the end user can operate the software.
Virtualization is a technology that allows operating system to run as an application within
other operating system.
Virtual machine provides robust level of security
System development can be done without disrupting the normal system
operation.
5. What is the main advantage of the multiprogramming?
Multiprogramming makes efficient use of the CPU by overlapping the demands
for the CPU and its I/O devices from various users. It attempts to increase CPU
utilization by always having something for the CPU to execute.
6. What is the function of system programs? List out the categories of system
programs.
System programs provide a convenient environment for program development
and execution. System programs are divided into these categories: File management,
Status management, File modification, Programming language support, Program loading
and support and Communications.
7. What are the three main purposes/functions of an OS?
To provide an environment for a computer user to execute programs on computer
hardware in a convenient and efficient manner
To allocate the resources of the computer as needed to solve the problem given. The
allocation process should be as fair and efficient as possible.

JIJU K JOSEPH, Lecturer/CSE

ASAN MEMORIAL COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

As a control program, it serves two main functions: 1) Supervision of the execution

of user programs to prevent errors and improper use of the computer and 2)
Management of the operation and control of I/O operations.
8. What is meant by Hard real systems and Soft real systems?
Hard real systems guarantee that critical tasks complete on time. In soft real
system, a critical task gets priority over other tasks and remains that priority until it
completes.
9. What is Cloud computing and list out its types.
Cloud computing is a type of computing that delivers computing, storage and even
applications as a service across a network. The types of cloud are,
Public cloud
Private cloud
Hybrid cloud
Software as a service(SaaS)
Platform as a service(Paas)
Infrastructure as a service(IaaS)
10. What are multiprocessor systems and mention its advantages.
Multiprocessor systems have two or more processors in close communication,
sharing the computer bus and sometimes the clock, memory and peripheral devices.
Advantages:
Increased Throughput
Economy of Sale
Increased Reliability
11. What is Spooling?
Spooling refers to putting jobs in a buffer, a special area in memory or on a disk
where a device can access them when it is ready. Spooling is useful because devices
access data at different rates. The buffer provides a waiting station where data can rest
while the slower device caches up.
Important 16 mark Questions
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

System call and its types

Operating system components and services
Explain about multiprocessor systems
Explain about the system structure of modern operating systems
Evolution of operating systems

JIJU K JOSEPH, Lecturer/CSE