Operating System Design Principles: Master the Core Concepts

Question 1

Which of the following is **not** a commonly used metric for measuring system performance in operating system design?

Accepted Answer

Maximum possible throughput

Answer

Response time

Answer

Throughput

Answer

Resource utilization

Question 2

Which I/O scheduling algorithm is designed to enhance performance by minimizing the average seek time in storage systems?

Accepted Answer

Shortest Seek Time First (SSTF)

Answer

First-Come First-Served (FCFS)

Answer

Scan (Elevator)

Question 3

In designing operating systems for real-time environments, what unique challenges and trade-offs arise? Consider factors like predictability, reliability, and fault tolerance.

Accepted Answer

Trade-offs in real-time OS design balance determinism with efficiency.

Answer

Real-time OS design prioritizes fault tolerance over both predictability and reliability.

Answer

Reliability is not a significant concern in real-time operating system design.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a function of operating systems in managing network resources and providing network access?

Accepted Answer

Granting direct hardware access to applications

Answer

Implementing network protocols for communication

Answer

Employing routing algorithms for efficient data transfer

Answer

Providing user authentication and access control mechanisms

Question 5

Which of the following is a key principle of modern operating system design?

Accepted Answer

Modularity

Answer

Monoculture

Answer

Decentralization

Answer

Spaghetti code

Question 6

What is the primary responsibility of a memory management unit (MMU)?

Accepted Answer

Translating logical addresses to physical addresses

Answer

Managing physical memory and allocating it to processes

Answer

Scheduling processes and allocating CPU time

Answer

Handling interrupts and exceptions

Question 7

What is the key distinction between a system call and a user interrupt?

Accepted Answer

System calls are initiated by user programs, while user interrupts are generated by hardware events.

Answer

User interrupts are initiated by user programs, while system calls are generated by hardware events.

Answer

System calls are a special type of user interrupt.

Answer

User interrupts are a special type of system call.

Question 8

What is the primary purpose of a file system?

Accepted Answer

To organize and manage files and directories on storage devices

Answer

To provide process scheduling and synchronization

Answer

To handle input and output operations

Answer

To translate user programs into machine code

Question 9

What is the fundamental role of the kernel in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To provide basic services and manage hardware resources for user programs

Answer

To execute user programs directly

Answer

To handle user input and output

Answer

To translate user programs into machine code

Question 10

Which fundamental objective encompasses the goals of providing a stable execution environment, efficient resource management, and high performance optimization?

Accepted Answer

Operating System Design Philosophy

Answer

Application Development Strategy

Answer

System Architecture Planning

Answer

Hardware Resource Allocation

Question 11

In the context of operating system architectures, which model features a single processor responsible for executing instructions and managing system tasks?

Accepted Answer

Uniprocessor Architecture

Answer

Multiprocessor Architecture

Answer

Distributed Architecture

Answer

Cloud-based Architecture

Question 12

Within an operating system, which component assumes the primary responsibility for allocating processing time to various programs and processes?

Accepted Answer

Process Scheduler

Answer

Memory Manager

Answer

I/O Controller

Answer

System Monitor

Question 13

In an operating system, what is the primary purpose of incorporating a virtual memory system?

Accepted Answer

Extending the Capacity of Physical Memory

Answer

Accelerating Memory Access Time

Answer

Enhancing Memory Protection and Security

Answer

Improving System Stability

Question 14

Among the functions of an I/O subsystem in an operating system, which is NOT a responsibility of this component?

Accepted Answer

Scheduling Processes for Execution

Answer

Managing Input and Output Devices

Answer

Performing Data Transfer Operations

Answer

Providing Temporary Storage for Data

Question 15

In an operating system, what is the primary role of an interrupt handler?

Accepted Answer

Responding to Interrupts Generated by Hardware

Answer

Processing System Calls and Requests

Answer

Scheduling Processes for Execution

Answer

Managing Memory Allocation and Deallocation

Question 16

In comparing microkernels and monolithic kernels, what is the fundamental distinction between the two architectures?

Accepted Answer

Range of Functionality Provided by the Kernel

Answer

Size and Complexity of the Kernel Codebase

Answer

Interaction Model with Hardware Components

Answer

Performance Characteristics of the Kernel

Question 17

In the design of a real-time operating system (RTOS), which factor is paramount?

Accepted Answer

Determinism

Answer

Scalability

Answer

Portability

Question 18

In comparing monolithic, microkernel, and hybrid kernels, which statement accurately reflects their trade-offs?

Accepted Answer

Monolithic kernels often provide greater efficiency than microkernels.

Accepted Answer

Microkernels generally offer enhanced security compared to monolithic kernels.

Answer

Hybrid kernels consistently outperform both monolithic and microkernels.

Question 19

In the design of operating systems, which ethical consideration holds utmost importance?

Accepted Answer

Protecting user data from unauthorized access and cyber threats

Answer

Prioritizing system performance over user privacy

Answer

Balancing functionality with resource efficiency

Answer

Implementing features without considering accessibility for diverse users

Question 20

Which component is NOT typically part of a hierarchical file system?

Accepted Answer

Network adapter

Answer

File allocation table

Answer

Inode table

Answer

Boot sector

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a commonly used metric for assessing operating system performance?

Accepted Answer

User satisfaction

Answer

Throughput (tasks completed per unit time)

Answer

Latency (response time to requests)

Answer

Reliability (uptime and stability)

Question 22

Which virtualization technology enables multiple operating systems to coexist on a single physical machine?

Accepted Answer

Hypervisor

Answer

Container

Answer

Emulator

Answer

Virtual machine

Question 23

What is the purpose of a virtual file system (VFS) in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Provides a unified interface for accessing different file systems

Answer

Stores files in a virtualized environment

Answer

Utilizes virtual memory for file storage

Answer

Exists solely in software form

Question 24

Consider the ethical implications of operating system design choices, especially regarding privacy, security, and accessibility. Discuss the responsibilities of designers in addressing these concerns.

Accepted Answer

Be transparent about data collection and usage.

Answer

Designers have no ethical obligations beyond ensuring the system's functionality.

Answer

Prioritize privacy and security over accessibility.

Answer

Designers are not responsible for user misuse of the system.

Question 25

When designing operating systems for mobile devices, what unique challenges arise?

Accepted Answer

A: Resource constraints, power efficiency, and user interface design

Answer

B: Scalability, fault tolerance, and security

Answer

C: Real-time execution, memory management, and file systems

Answer

D: None of the above

Question 26

Question:

Discuss the security risks associated with executing untrusted code within an operating system. Analyze strategies to mitigate these risks, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages.

Accepted Answer

Implement sandboxing techniques to isolate untrusted code.

Accepted Answer

Utilize access control mechanisms to limit the actions of untrusted code.

Answer

Disable all security checks on untrusted code.

Answer

Permit untrusted code to run with full privileges.

Question 27

Which of the following is a primary objective in designing operating systems?

Accepted Answer

Managing system resources effectively

Answer

Providing a user-friendly interface

Answer

Guaranteeing system data security

Answer

Optimizing application execution speed

Question 28

What is the primary function of a kernel in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Handling interrupts and system calls

Answer

Allocating memory

Answer

Providing a graphical user interface

Answer

Executing user programs

Question 29

What is the purpose of a process scheduler in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Determining which processes to execute and for how long

Answer

Allocating disk space

Answer

Managing input/output operations

Answer

Guaranteeing equal resource access for all processes

Question 30

Which principle is crucial for deadlock avoidance?

Accepted Answer

Requesting resources only when necessary

Answer

Holding resources indefinitely

Answer

Preempting processes holding resources

Answer

Detecting and recovering from deadlocks

Question 31

What is the primary benefit of a virtual memory system?

Accepted Answer

Allowing processes to utilize more memory than physically available

Answer

Enhancing performance for memory-intensive applications

Answer

Preventing processes from accessing each other's memory

Answer

Protecting the operating system from user errors

Question 32

Describe the key difference between a microkernel and a monolithic kernel.

Accepted Answer

A microkernel contains only essential components, while a monolithic kernel includes all system functionality

Answer

A monolithic kernel is more efficient than a microkernel

Answer

A microkernel is more secure than a monolithic kernel

Answer

They are functionally identical

Question 33

In operating system design, explain the trade-offs between ensuring system stability and optimizing performance. How can these competing concerns be balanced effectively?

Accepted Answer

Balancing stability and performance requires careful consideration of factors like application needs and available system resources.

Answer

Prioritizing stability always guarantees a reliable system, even if performance is compromised.

Answer

Optimizing performance should be the main focus, as users always value speed over reliability.

Answer

System stability and performance are inherently incompatible goals that cannot be reconciled.

Question 34

In operating system design, which approach is most effective in enhancing system security?

Accepted Answer

Implementing mandatory access controls to restrict user access to specific system resources

Answer

Adopting a closed-source operating system to limit access to the source code

Answer

Relying solely on antivirus software to detect and remove malware

Answer

Prioritizing system performance over security concerns

Question 35

What is the primary function of a process scheduler in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Determining the execution order of processes

Answer

Allocating resources to processes

Answer

Managing memory for processes

Answer

Facilitating inter-process communication

Question 36

Which resource management policy aims to distribute resources equitably among processes?

Accepted Answer

Round-robin

Answer

First-come, first-served

Answer

Shortest-job-first

Answer

Priority-based

Question 37

What is the key benefit of a virtual memory system in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Extending the available physical memory for processes

Answer

Protecting the memory spaces of different processes

Answer

Enhancing cache performance

Answer

Supporting multithreading

Question 38

What is the purpose of a system call?

Accepted Answer

Invoking services provided by the operating system

Answer

Exchanging data between user and kernel modes

Answer

Managing hardware devices

Answer

Scheduling processes

Question 39

Which performance optimization technique involves dividing large tasks into smaller units?

Accepted Answer

Multithreading

Answer

Multitasking

Answer

Caching

Answer

Prefetching

Question 40

What is the primary purpose of an interrupt service routine (ISR)?

Accepted Answer

Responding to hardware events

Answer

Handling software exceptions

Answer

Managing memory allocation

Answer

Implementing device drivers

Question 41

Which of the following is not a core component of an operating system (OS)?

Accepted Answer

Web browser

Answer

Kernel

Answer

File system

Answer

Device drivers

Question 42

What is the primary responsibility of a kernel in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Managing hardware resources and system processes

Answer

Scheduling programs to run efficiently

Answer

Providing a graphical interface for user interaction

Answer

Storing data permanently on storage devices

Question 43

Which scheduling algorithm is most appropriate for systems that require guaranteed response times for critical tasks?

Accepted Answer

Priority-based

Answer

First-come, first-served

Answer

Round-robin

Answer

Lottery

Question 44

What is the primary purpose of a file system in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To organize and manage data storage on disks and other storage devices

Answer

To allocate and manage memory for running programs

Answer

To provide a user-friendly interface for interacting with the OS

Answer

To handle input and output operations to and from devices

Question 45

What is the key difference between a monolithic kernel and a microkernel?

Accepted Answer

Monolithic kernels are larger and include all OS components, while microkernels are smaller and provide only essential services.

Answer

Monolithic kernels are faster than microkernels.

Answer

Monolithic kernels are more secure than microkernels.

Answer

Microkernels are more flexible than monolithic kernels.

Question 46

What is the primary function of a process control block (PCB) in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To store information about the state and resource usage of a running process

Answer

To manage the allocation and deallocation of memory for a process

Answer

To handle input and output operations for a process

Answer

To schedule a process for execution on the CPU

Question 47

What is the main purpose of a system call in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To request services from the kernel, such as file I/O or memory management

Answer

To create new processes and manage their execution

Answer

To allocate and deallocate memory for programs

Answer

To read data from storage devices

Question 48

In an operating system, which component is primarily responsible for managing system memory?

Accepted Answer

Memory Manager

Answer

File System

Answer

Process Scheduler

Answer

Resource Manager

Question 49

What is the fundamental purpose of a process scheduler in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To decide which processes execute and when

Answer

To manage system memory

Answer

To handle user input and output

Answer

To enforce system security

Question 50

Which of the following is an example of a microkernel architecture?

Accepted Answer

MINIX

Answer

Hybrid Kernel

Answer

Monolithic Kernel

Answer

Windows XP

Question 51

When designing an operating system, which of the following factors is NOT typically considered?

Accepted Answer

Aesthetics

Answer

Security

Answer

Performance

Answer

Reliability

Question 52

What is the primary purpose of implementing virtual memory in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To simulate a larger physical memory by utilizing secondary storage

Answer

To reduce the complexity of memory management

Answer

To improve data access time

Answer

To enhance system security

Question 53

Which of the following is a significant challenge encountered during operating system design?

Accepted Answer

Concurrency control, ensuring that multiple processes share resources safely

Answer

Maintaining hardware compatibility

Answer

Handling hardware errors

Answer

Designing user interfaces

Question 54

What is the primary goal of performance optimization in operating systems?

Accepted Answer

To minimize system response time and maximize throughput

Answer

To reduce the cost of hardware components

Answer

To enhance system security

Question 55

Which of the following is NOT a common type of operating system interface?

Accepted Answer

Natural Language Interface (NLI)

Answer

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

Answer

Command Line Interface (CLI)

Answer

System Call Interface (SCI)

Question 56

Which type of operating system architecture combines microkernel and monolithic kernel features?

Accepted Answer

Hybrid Kernel

Answer

Monolithic Kernel

Answer

Distributed Kernel

Answer

Microkernel

Question 57

Which operating system design principle advocates for breaking the system into modules with well-defined interfaces, enabling independent development and easier maintenance?

Accepted Answer

Modularity

Answer

Security

Answer

Extensibility

Answer

Performance

Question 58

In operating systems, which resource management technique utilizes a central entity to prevent simultaneous access to shared resources, ensuring data integrity?

Accepted Answer

Mutex

Answer

Barrier

Answer

Semaphore

Answer

Latch

Question 59

In process scheduling, which algorithm prioritizes processes with the shortest remaining execution time, aiming to minimize average waiting time?

Accepted Answer

Shortest Job First (SJF)

Answer

Priority Scheduling

Answer

First-Come First-Served (FCFS)

Answer

Round Robin

Question 60

Which memory management technique divides memory into fixed-size blocks called pages, simplifying memory allocation and deallocation, and enhancing efficiency?

Accepted Answer

Paging

Answer

Virtual Memory

Answer

Heap Management

Answer

Segmentation

Question 61

In operating systems, a system call is a request made by a user application or process to access services provided by the:

Accepted Answer

Kernel

Answer

Device Driver

Answer

Compiler

Answer

Application

Question 62

Which synchronization technique employs a semaphore to allow multiple processes to coordinate access to shared resources, preventing race conditions and deadlocks?

Accepted Answer

Semaphore

Answer

Mutex

Answer

Locking

Answer

Barrier

Question 63

In operating system architecture, a design that separates the system into a privileged supervisor mode and a less privileged user mode is known as:

Accepted Answer

Protected Memory Architecture

Answer

Hypervisor Architecture

Answer

Monolithic Kernel Architecture

Answer

Microkernel Architecture

Question 64

In a multi-threaded programming environment, which concurrency control mechanism guarantees consistent access to shared data by enforcing exclusive access during critical sections?

Accepted Answer

Locking

Answer

Atomic Operation

Answer

Transaction

Answer

Read-Write Lock