Computer Operator Interview Questions from Operating Systems with answers.

Interview Questions from Operating Systems with answers

Question 1. What Is Fragmentation?
Answer :
Fragmentation is memory wasted. It can be internal if we are dealing with systems that have fixed-sized allocation units, or external if we are dealing with systems that have variable-sized allocation units.

Question 2. What Are Device Drivers?
Answer :
Device drivers provides a standard means of representing I/O devices that maybe manufactured by different companies. This prevents conflicts whenever such devices are incorporated in a systems unit.

Question 3. What Is Multitasking?
Answer :
Multitasking is the process within an operating system that allows the user to run several applications at the same time. However, only one application is active at a time for user interaction, although some applications can run 'behind the scene'.

Question 4. What Is Caching?
Answer :
Caching is the processing of utilizing a region of fast memory for a limited data and process. A cache memory is usually much efficient because of its high access speed.

Question 5. What Is Spooling?
Answer :
Spooling is normally associated with printing. When different applications want to send an output to the printer at the same time, spooling takes all of these print jobs into a disk file and queues them accordingly to the printer.

Question 6. What Is An Assembler?
Answer :
An assembler acts as a translator for low level language. Assembly codes, written using mnemonic commands are translated by the Assembler into machine language.

Question 7. What Are Interrupts?
Answer :
Interrupts are part of a hardware mechanism that sends a notification to the CPU when it wants to gain access to a particular resource. An interrupt handler receives this interrupt signal and 'tells' the processor to take action based on the interrupt request.

Question 8. What Is Gui?
Answer :
GUI is short for Graphical User Interface. It provides users with an interface wherein actions can be performed by interacting with icons and graphical symbols. People find it easier to interact with the computer when in a GUI especially when using the mouse. Instead of having to remember and type commands, users just click on buttons to perform a process.

Question 9. Explain The Main Purpose Of An Operating System?
Answer :
Operating systems exist for two main purposes. One is that it is designed to make sure a computer system performs well by managing its computational activities. Another is that it provides an environment for the development and execution of programs.

Question 10. What is the advantage of a multiprocessor system?
Answer :
As many as processors are increased, you will get the considerable increment in throughput. It is cost effective also because they can share resources. So, the overall reliability increases.

Question 11. What is virtual memory?
Answer :
Virtual memory is a very useful memory management technique which enables processes to execute outside of memory. This technique is especially used when an executing program cannot fit in the physical memory.

Question 12. What is deadlock? Explain.
Answer :
Deadlock is a specific situation or condition where two processes are waiting for each other to complete so that they can start. But this situation causes hang for both of them.

Question 13. What is spooling?
Answer :
Spooling is a process in which data is temporarily gathered to be used and executed by a device, program or the system. It is associated with printing. When different applications send output to the printer at the same time, spooling keeps these all jobs into a disk file and queues them accordingly to the printer.

Question 14. What is the difference between internal commands and external commands?
Answer :
Internal commands are the built-in part of the operating system while external commands are the separate file programs that are stored in a separate folder or directory.

Question 15. What is kernel?
Answer :
A kernel is the core of every operating system. It connects applications to the actual processing of data. It also manages all communications between software and hardware components to ensure usability and reliability.

Question 16. What are real-time systems?
Answer :
Real-time systems are used when rigid time requirements have been placed on the operation of a processor. It has well defined and fixed time constraints.

Question 17. Describe the objective of multiprogramming.
Answer :
The main objective of multiprogramming is to have a process running at all times. With this design, CPU utilization is said to be maximized.

Question 18. What is time-sharing system?
Answer :
In a Time-sharing system, the CPU executes multiple jobs by switching among them, also known as multitasking. This process happens so fast that users can interact with each program while it is running.

Question 19. What is a thread?
Answer :
A thread is a basic unit of CPU utilization. In general, a thread is composed of a thread ID, program counter, register set, and the stack.

Question 20. Give an example of a Process State.
Answer :
· New State – means a process is being created
· Running – means instructions are being executed
· Waiting – means a process is waiting for certain conditions or events to occur
· Ready – means a process is waiting for an instruction from the main processor
· Terminate – means a process is stopped abruptly

Question 21. What is a socket?
Answer :
A socket provides a connection between two applications. Each endpoint of a communication is a socket.

Question 22. What is caching?
Answer :
Caching is the processing of utilizing a region of fast memory for a limited data and process. A cache memory is usually much efficient because of its high access speed.