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Quizzes > Computers & Technology > Programming & Software

Functions of an Operating System Quiz - How Well Do You Know Your OS?

Take our operating system functions test and see if you can ace it!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for quiz on Functions of an Operating System on dark blue background

Ready to dive into our functions of an operating system quiz and see how well you can navigate core OS tasks? Whether you're cramming for exams or aiming to boost your tech know-how, this OS functions quiz covers everything from task scheduling to memory management, file systems, and more. In this operating system functions test you'll challenge your grasp of system software functions quiz essentials, then apply your skills in a fun OS feature quiz format. Click to start our Operating System Quiz , and when you're feeling confident, tackle the bonus os quiz for an extra challenge. Jump in now, test your expertise, and level up your computer OS quiz prowess!

Which function of an operating system is responsible for distributing CPU time among running processes?
Memory management
File management
Task scheduling
Security management
The OS scheduler allocates CPU time slices to processes based on scheduling policies, ensuring that each process gets a fair share of the CPU. Task scheduling handles process prioritization and dispatch. Without scheduling, processes could starve or monopolize the CPU.
Which component of an OS organizes and controls how data is stored and retrieved on disk drives?
File system
Kernel
Device driver
Shell
The file system provides a hierarchical structure for storing files, manages file metadata, and controls read/write operations. It interprets high-level file operations into disk operations. Other components like device drivers perform low-level I/O, but the file system organizes data logically.
Which memory management technique enables non-contiguous memory allocation by dividing memory into fixed-size blocks?
Swapping
Paging
Compaction
Segmentation
Paging divides physical memory into fixed-size frames and logical memory into pages, allowing non-contiguous allocation. The page table maps pages to frames. This approach eliminates external fragmentation.
What interface provided by an operating system allows users to enter commands and interact with the system?
Module
API
Kernel
Shell
The shell is a command-line interpreter that provides a user interface for command execution, script processing, and program launching. It acts as an intermediary between the user and the kernel. A kernel is the core component but does not directly accept user commands.
Which function allows the OS to communicate with hardware components like printers and disks?
Scheduler
Memory manager
File manager
Device driver
Device drivers are software modules that translate generic OS commands into device-specific operations. They allow the kernel to interact with hardware components. Without drivers, the OS would not understand how to control devices.
What is the core component of an operating system that manages hardware resources and system calls?
Kernel
Shell
Compiler
GUI
The kernel is the central part of the OS that interacts directly with hardware, manages resources, and handles system calls from applications. It operates in privileged mode to maintain system stability and security. Other components rely on the kernel for low-level operations.
In round-robin scheduling, what metric is crucial for time slice allocation?
Burst time
Quantum
Arrival time
Priority level
The quantum, or time slice, is the fixed amount of CPU time each process receives in round-robin scheduling. If a process doesn't finish within its quantum, it goes to the back of the queue. This ensures fair CPU sharing among processes.
Which memory allocation approach divides memory into variable-sized segments based on logical divisions?
Segmentation
Paging
Compaction
Swapping
Segmentation splits memory into segments of variable size that correspond to logical program units like functions or data structures. It provides isolation and supports sharing. Segment tables map segment numbers to memory addresses.
Virtual memory extends RAM using which secondary storage mechanism?
Registers
Cache memory
Swap space
Buffers
Swap space is disk storage used to hold pages of memory that are not actively used, effectively extending physical RAM. The OS moves pages between RAM and swap space on demand. This allows running larger applications than physical memory would permit.
What security function of an OS controls user permissions and access rights?
Scheduling
Access control
Encryption
Virtualization
Access control mechanisms define which users or processes can access system resources and what operations they can perform. They enforce policies such as user authentication, authorization, and auditing. Proper access control protects data integrity and confidentiality.
Which mechanism signals the CPU that an external event requires immediate attention?
System call
Interrupt
Exception
Daemon
An interrupt is a hardware or software signal indicating events like I/O completion or hardware faults. The CPU stops its current task, saves state, and executes an interrupt handler. This enables asynchronous event handling.
System calls usually transition the CPU from user mode to what mode?
Kernel mode
Producer mode
User mode
Supervisor mode
System calls require elevated privileges to execute sensitive operations, so the CPU switches from user mode to kernel mode. Kernel mode allows direct access to hardware and memory. This protection boundary prevents user programs from causing system-wide faults.
In virtual memory paging, what structure maps virtual addresses to physical frames?
Page table
Inode table
Frame allocator
Buffer cache
A page table stores the mapping between virtual page numbers and physical frame addresses. The MMU uses this table to translate virtual addresses at runtime. Multi-level page tables optimize memory usage.
Which scheduling algorithm selects the process with the smallest CPU burst next?
Round Robin
Shortest Job First
Priority scheduling
First-Come First-Served
Shortest Job First (SJF) chooses the process with the minimal estimated CPU burst time to run next, minimizing average waiting time. It can be preemptive or non-preemptive. However, it requires accurate burst time prediction.
Which of the following is one of the necessary conditions for deadlock in an operating system?
Multiprogramming
Preemptive scheduling
Mutual exclusion
Time slicing
Mutual exclusion means at least one resource is non-shareable, a key condition for deadlock. The four Coffman conditions include mutual exclusion, hold and wait, no preemption, and circular wait. Without any one condition, deadlocks cannot occur.
When an operating system spends more time swapping pages in and out than executing processes, it is called?
Paging fault
Context switching
Thrashing
Deadlock
Thrashing occurs when excessive paging operations degrade system performance. The OS spends most of its time moving pages rather than running processes. It often happens under high memory pressure.
What event occurs when a program accesses a page not currently in physical memory?
Buffer overflow
Page fault
Page hit
Stack overflow
A page fault is triggered when a process references a page not in RAM, prompting the OS to load it from disk. The process may be blocked until the page is loaded. Page faults enable demand paging and virtual memory.
Which static memory allocation scheme divides memory into contiguous partitions?
Dynamic partitioning
Paging
Segmentation
Fixed partitioning
Fixed partitioning divides memory into a set of predefined contiguous regions that processes are loaded into. It is simple but can lead to internal fragmentation. Dynamic schemes like paging avoid this by allowing non-contiguous allocation.
In a multilevel feedback queue scheduler, on what basis are processes moved between queues?
Memory usage
CPU burst history
I/O requests
Arrival time
Multilevel feedback queues adjust process priority based on observed CPU burst lengths, promoting or demoting processes between queues. This dynamic approach balances responsiveness and throughput. It adapts to different workload behaviors.
Which disk scheduling algorithm moves the head in one direction servicing requests, then reverses?
FCFS
C-LOOK
SSTF
SCAN
The SCAN algorithm, also known as the elevator algorithm, moves the disk arm in one direction, servicing all requests until it reaches an end, then reverses direction. This reduces variance in wait time compared to FCFS. It balances throughput and fairness.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Core OS Functions -

    Identify and describe the primary roles of an operating system, including task scheduling, memory management, and device control, as covered in the functions of an operating system quiz.

  2. Analyze Scheduling Algorithms -

    Compare different CPU scheduling techniques and assess their impact on process efficiency and system responsiveness in the computer OS quiz context.

  3. Evaluate Memory Management -

    Explain various memory allocation strategies and their benefits, such as paging and segmentation, to reinforce knowledge from the operating system functions test.

  4. Identify Device Control Mechanisms -

    Recognize how an OS interacts with hardware components through drivers and I/O management, as explored in the OS functions quiz.

  5. Apply Security and Protection Concepts -

    Illustrate how operating systems implement access controls and safeguard resources, drawing on examples from the system software functions quiz.

  6. Differentiate OS Types -

    Distinguish between various operating system architectures (e.g., batch, multitasking, real-time) and understand their unique use cases in the OS feature quiz.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Process Scheduling and CPU Allocation -

    Operating systems use algorithms like Round Robin (RR), First-Come First-Served (FCFS), and Shortest Job First (SJF) to decide which process occupies the CPU next, balancing responsiveness and throughput. Preemptive scheduling can interrupt a running process, while non-preemptive waits for completion. Use the mnemonic "RFS" (Round, First, Shortest) to recall major strategies (Silberschatz et al., Operating System Concepts).

  2. Memory Management and Virtual Memory -

    Review how paging divides memory into fixed-size frames and pages, preventing external fragmentation, while segmentation uses logical divisions. Virtual memory leverages disk space to run programs larger than physical RAM - for instance, running a 4 GB process on 1 GB RAM via demand paging (MIT OpenCourseWare). Understanding page tables and TLBs is key for your operating system functions quiz.

  3. File System Organization and Management -

    Familiarize yourself with directory hierarchies, file allocation tables (FAT), and journaling file systems like ext4 or NTFS to ensure data integrity. Remember the formula: max files = disk size รท block size for estimating limits. Carnegie Mellon University's File System course offers in-depth case studies on metadata and journaling techniques.

  4. I/O Device Management and Drivers -

    Operating systems manage hardware through device drivers, handling interrupts versus polling to optimize performance. Study I/O scheduling algorithms such as the "elevator" (SCAN) method - imagine a lift moving up and down to service requests efficiently (Tanenbaum, Modern Operating Systems). This concept often appears in OS functions quizzes.

  5. Security, Authentication, and Access Control -

    Understand user authentication mechanisms (passwords, biometrics) and access control lists (ACLs) for fine-grained permissions. Use the "CIA" triad - Confidentiality, Integrity, Availability - to recall core security goals (NIST SP 800-53). Encryption services and secure system calls reinforce these principles in modern OS design.

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