CS 6
What is multiprogramming?
Loading 2 or more programs into memory, executing one at a time
What is the downside of a system without a dedicated sound processor?
Lower quality sound
What is the advantage of designing an OS from scratch?
Optimized for device
What is a process scheduler?
Part of OS that decides on next task to be admitted to CPU
What is Polling?
Periodic checking of device status
What are mainframes?
Powerful computers with vast amounts of resources
What is swapping?
Process of moving program from RAM to hard disk and back
What is a scheduler?
Process of selecting the next process to be executed
What is a device driver?
Program that acts as a bridge between hardware and OS
What is the advantage of eliminating certain aspects of the OS?
Reduces size and RAM usage
What is the function of a graphics processor?
Renders complex graphics
What is abstraction in operating systems?
Representation of complex system with simpler model
What are the four main functions of an OS?
Resource, peripheral, hardware interface, memory/process management
What is an interrupt?
Signal from device that causes OS to stop current task
What is the impact of CPU processing sounds?
Slows down the system
What is an operating system?
Software that supports basic functions
What are the two ways to design a dedicated OS?
Adopt existing OS or design from scratch
What is a task scheduler?
Application that carries out specific tasks at specific times
What is multitasking?
Completing smaller tasks or processes quickly
What does the OS hide from users?
Complexity of hardware interactions
What is multiprocessing?
Computers with more than one core
What does the OS do?
Coordinates resources and controls execution of software
What are dedicated operating systems?
Custom made for specific function
What is multithreading?
Executing different parts of a program simultaneously
What are supercomputers?
Fast and expensive computers focused on mathematical calculations
What is Virtual Memory?
Feature to compensate for RAM shortages
What is batch processing?
Grouping programs together and executing without intervention
What does the OS do for user accounts?
Helps create accounts and defines privileges/rights
What is preemptive scheduling?
High priority task takes over low priority task
How do operating systems hide complexity from users?
Through GUI, folder structures, icons, and abstraction
What is slicing?
Used by multitasking to manage all running programs
What happens when a graphics processor is limited?
CPU processes graphics, taking longer or being limited
What is the disadvantage of designing an OS from scratch?
Can't be used on other devices and more expensive
What is memory management?
OS manages computer memory and instructions executed in ALU
What is paging?
Allows OS to use secondary storage as if it was RAM
What is multi-access?
Multiple users interacting with a single computer through their terminals