Computer Systems

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Unit 2: Assignment 2        29/01/2009


Unit 2 – Computer systems        

Assignment 2

Table of Contents

Task 1

Q1. Basic tasks performed by an operating system include:

  1. checking the keyboard for input, controlling the transfer of programs in and out of main memory, communicating with the user, keeping track of files and directories on backing storage
  2. controlling input and output devices, monitoring user activities, virus checking,
  3. controlling system security, optimising graphics images, maintaining directories

A1.  1

Q2. Some operating systems (such as Windows XP) enable multi-tasking.  An example of multi-tasking is:

  1. several users working on different programs on the same computer at the same time
  2. many users logging on from remote terminals at the same time
  3. a user working on spreadsheet whilst uploading files to the Internet and printing documents in background mode

A2.  3

Q3. Operating systems may have command line or menu interfaces.  Newer operating systems like  MEPIS have:

  1. menu driven interfaces
  2. command line driven interfaces
  3. no interfaces

A3.  1

Q4. Most users prefer menu driven (GUI) interfaces because:

  1. they don't need to remember complex command statements and therefore they're easier to use
  2. they like to use technical language
  3. it's faster to organise their workload

A4.  1

Q5. When purchasing software applications it is important to ensure that it:

  1. is written to run under the operating system on your machine
  2. will run under all operating systems
  3. contains its own operating system

A5.  1

Q6. One function of an operating system is to handle interrupts.  Interrupts are:

  1. a delay in processing due to operating system overload
  2. signals from hardware or software requesting attention from the operating system
  3. messages received by your PC from other computers

A6.  2

Q7. Certain applications require real time operating systems that respond to input and produce results instantly.  Examples of such applications are:

  1. robotic car assembly lines and nuclear power station control systems
  2. games and point of sale systems
  3. spreadsheet and similar electronic document processing programs

A7.  1

Q8. Utility programs are usually supplied as part of an operating system package, although they are not strictly speaking part of the operating system. Common functions these utilities perform are:

  1. file renaming, deletion, copying, sending output to a printer or other output device
  2. de-fragmenting the hard drive, performing disk clean-up, web browsing
  3. advanced word processing, spreadsheet generation, virus checking

A8.  2

Q9. Graphical user interfaces (or GUIs) make it easy for users to interact with the operating system by:

  1. using a light pen system
  2. pointing at icons and clicking on them
  3. using specially programmed function keys on the keyboard

A9.  2

Q10. A multiprocessing system consists of:

  1. two or more processors each capable of performing separate instructions
  2. a single processor able to switch between multiple tasks
  3. multiple users each able to run programs concurrently

A10.  1

Q11. Processing can be carried out interactively or in batch mode.  The method used depends on the application.   Payroll, billing and other regular processing that repeats the same task on a weekly or monthly basis is best carried out:

  1. interactively
  2. in whatever way the customer thinks is best
  3. in batch mode

A11.  3

Q12. Which of the following is an example of a command line based PC operating system:

  1. Windows XP
  2. MSDOS
  3.  MEPIS

A12.  2

Q13.  An example of a Unix based operating system that can run on a PC is:

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  1. HP-UX
  2. AIX
  3.  MEPIS

A13.  3

Task 2

  1. Operating systems are designed to allow even the most inexperienced user to navigate a computer. Originally computers ran using “Command Line Interface” like DOS. In DOS the user has to know the name of every file or program they wish to run and the file path location within memory. This makes navigating through documents or opening programs slow and strenuous, for example, if a spelling mistake was made the entire file path would have to be typed again. Nowadays using modern operating system like Windows XP or ...

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