AL3452 - April/May 2023
1. List any two objectives of the Operating System.
- To provide a user-friendly interface for interacting with the computer.
- To manage system resources efficiently such as CPU, memory, and I/O devices.
2. Name the System Call used to create processes on UNIX systems.
The system call used is `fork()`.
3. Define Process Control Block.
A Process Control Block (PCB) is a data structure maintained by the operating system for every
process. It contains process-related information such as process ID, process state, registers, and
memory management details.
4. State any two differences between user thread and kernel thread.
- User threads are managed by user-level libraries, while kernel threads are managed by the OS.
- Switching between user threads is faster than kernel threads as it does not require kernel mode
privileges.
5. What is Demand Paging?
Demand paging is a memory management technique in which pages are loaded into memory only
when they are required during program execution, reducing memory usage.
6. Define Thrashing.
Thrashing occurs when the system spends more time swapping pages in and out of memory than
executing actual processes, often due to insufficient memory.
7. State Rotational Latency.
Rotational latency is the delay waiting for the rotation of the disk to bring the required disk sector
under the read/write head.
8. Distinguish Sharable and Dedicated Device.
- Sharable devices can be used by multiple processes concurrently (e.g., hard disks).
- Dedicated devices can be used by only one process at a time (e.g., printers).
9. Define para virtualization.
Paravirtualization is a virtualization technique that presents a software interface to virtual machines
that is similar but not identical to the underlying hardware.
10. Name the mechanism that Android uses to discover and identify activities/services.
Android uses Intents to discover and identify activities and services.
AL3452 - April/May 2024
1. OS is designed in different ways...
Modular and layered approaches both promote separation of concerns. In modular design, modules
interact via defined interfaces. Layered approach follows hierarchical structure. Modular kernel
allows more flexibility.
2. What are system calls?
System calls are the interface between user programs and the operating system. Examples include
`read()`, `write()`, `fork()`, `exec()`.
3. Priority inversion...
It is a problem where a low-priority task holds a resource needed by a high-priority task, causing the
latter to wait. Priority inheritance can solve this.
4. What is deadlock? What is starvation?
Deadlock: processes wait indefinitely for resources held by each other.
Starvation: a process waits indefinitely due to resource allocation to others.
Deadlock is mutual wait; starvation is unfair resource distribution.
5. Internal vs external fragmentation?
Internal: unused memory within allocated space.
External: small free memory blocks scattered, making allocation difficult.
6. Page fault?
A page fault occurs when a program accesses a page not in memory. Higher page fault frequency
may reduce performance and indicate need for more memory.
7. I/O in privileged mode?
To protect system resources and prevent user programs from performing harmful operations.
8. File access methods?
- Sequential: access data in order.
- Direct: access using address or index.
- Indexed: uses index to locate blocks.
9. Significance of virtual machines?
They allow multiple OS to run on one physical machine, isolate processes, and provide testing
environments.
10. iOS vs Android?
- Android is open-source; iOS is closed.
- Android uses Java/Kotlin; iOS uses Swift.
- Android has more device variety; iOS is limited to Apple devices.
CS3451 - Nov/Dec 2023
1. OS is a control program...
OS controls and coordinates use of hardware among users. Example: OS manages CPU time
between applications like browser and text editor.
2. Define system call...
System call: interface for user programs to request OS services. E.g., `fork()` to create process,
`open()` to open files.
3. Life cycle of a process
States: New -> Ready -> Running -> Waiting -> Terminated. A diagram typically illustrates
transitions among these states.
4. Process vs thread creation?
Thread creation is more economical in terms of time and resources since threads share memory,
whereas processes do not.
5. What is thrashing?
Excessive paging activity where CPU time is spent swapping pages instead of executing processes.
6. Advantages of demand paging?
- Reduces memory usage
- Allows more programs to be run simultaneously
- Increases responsiveness
7. Free space management?
OS maintains data structures like bitmaps or free lists to track and allocate free disk space.
8. File access methods?
- Sequential
- Direct
- Indexed
9. Benefits of virtual machines?
- Isolation
- Resource utilization
- Easy testing and development
10. Unique components in mobile OS?
- Touch-based interface support
- Energy management and battery optimization features
CS3451 - Nov/Dec 2024
1. Define Operating Systems.
An OS is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides
services for programs.
2. Services of OS?
- Process management
- Memory management
- File system management
- I/O system management
- Security and protection
3. Cooperating process?
Processes that share data with other processes and can affect or be affected by them.
4. Define IPC.
Inter-Process Communication (IPC) is a mechanism for processes to communicate and synchronize
their actions.
5. Address binding?
Process of mapping logical addresses to physical addresses during program execution.
6. Page fault and handling?
Occurs when accessed page is not in memory. Handled by loading the page from disk into memory.
7. Disk space allocation methods?
- Contiguous allocation
- Linked allocation
- Indexed allocation
8. Directory operations?
- Create
- Delete
- Rename
- List contents
- Search
9. Define virtualization?
Virtualization is the creation of a virtual version of OS, server, storage, or network resources.
10. Merits of Android?
- Open source
- Large developer community
- Customizability
- Wide device compatibility
