operating system
CMET 331-01 Homework 1
Due at 1:00 pm, Tuesday, September 19, 2017
No credit after 5:00 pm, Monday, September 25, 2017
Solutions
Use Word to process your homework and submit to Blackboard is mandatory.
1. (10 points) What is an operating system?
An operating system is a program that manages the computer hardware.
2. (20 points) What are the two main functions of an operating system?
(a) An operating system provide the users with an extended (i.e., virtual) machine.
(b) It manages the I/O devices and other system resources.
3. (10 points) What is multiprogramming?
Multiprogramming is the rapid switching of the CPU between multiple processes in memory. It is commonly used to keep the CPU busy while one or more processes are doing I/O.
4. (10 points) What is time sharing?
Time sharing is a logical extension of multiprogramming. In time-sharing system, the CPU executes multiple jobs by switching among them, but the switches occur so frequently that the users can interact with each program while it is running.
5. (10 points) Computer system can be divided into four components. Which four? Please briefly explain.
(a) Hardware - provides basic computing resources
(b) Operating system - Controls and coordinates use of hardware among various applications and users
(c) Application programs – define the ways in which the system resources are used to solve the computing problems of the users
(d) Users - People, machines, other computers
6. (20 points) When will an interrupt be generated? How to handle?
Device controller informs CPU that it has finished its operation by causing an interrupt.
(a) The operating system preserves the state of the CPU by storing registers and the program counter.
(b) Determines which type of interrupt has occurred.
(c) Separate segments of code determine what action should be taken for each type of interrupt
(d) When interrupt processing is done, restore the saved registers and the program counter.
7. (20 points) What is the difference between the non-volatile and volatile storage?
Non-volatile storage is computer storage that can retain the stored information even when not powered.
Volatile storage is computer storage that requires power to maintain the stored information.