"Operating System Interview Questions: Answers

& Explanations"

Seeking Clarification and Providing Solution-

1. Explain the main purpose of an operating system.

A- The main purpose of an operating system is to manage computer hardware

and software resources, provide a user interface, and facilitate the execution of
programs.

2. What is demand paging?

A- Demand paging is a memory management technique where pages are loaded

into memory only when they are demanded by the program, rather than loading
the entire program into memory at once. It helps in efficient memory utilization
and reduces the initial loading time.

3. What are the advantages of a multiprocessor system?

A- Advantages of a multiprocessor system include increased processing power,

improved system performance and throughput, better resource utilization, and
increased reliability and fault tolerance.

4. What is a kernel?

A- A kernel is the core component of an operating system that manages system

resources, provides services to programs, and acts as an intermediary between
hardware and software.
5. What are real-time systems?

Real-time systems are computer systems that are designed to process and
respond to events or inputs within strict time constraints. They are used in
applications where timely response is critical, such as industrial control systems,
flight control systems, or medical equipment.

6. What is virtual memory?

A- Virtual memory is a memory management technique that allows a computer to

compensate for physical memory shortages by temporarily transferring data from
RAM to disk storage. It provides the illusion of having more memory than is
physically available.

7. Describe the objective of multiprogramming.

A- The objective of multiprogramming is to maximize CPU utilization by allowing

multiple programs to reside in memory simultaneously. It enables efficient
sharing of system resources among multiple processes and improves overall
system efficiency.

8. What are time sharing systems?

A-Time sharing systems, also known as multitasking systems, allow multiple users
to share a computer's resources by dividing CPU time among multiple processes
or users. Each user or process gets a small time slice of CPU time to execute their
tasks.

9. What is SMP?

A- SMP stands for Symmetric Multiprocessing, which is a multiprocessing

architecture where multiple processors are connected to a single memory and
operate under a single operating system. In SMP systems, all processors are
treated as equals and can execute any task.

10. How are server systems classified?

A- Server systems can be classified based on their purpose and architecture.
Common classifications include file servers, web servers, database servers,
application servers, and mail servers. They can also be classified as physical
servers or virtual servers.

11. What is asymmetric clustering?

A- Asymmetric clustering is a type of clustering where each node in the cluster

performs a specific task or set of tasks. The nodes have different roles and
responsibilities, and they collaborate to achieve a common goal.

12. What is a thread?

A- A thread is a lightweight unit of execution within a process. It represents a

single sequence of instructions that can be scheduled and executed
independently. Multiple threads can exist within a single process, sharing the
same resources.

13. Give some benefits of multithreaded programming.

A- Some benefits of multithreaded programming include improved

responsiveness and performance, better resource utilization, simplified program
design and implementation, and enhanced concurrency and parallelism.

14. Briefly explain FCFS (First-Come, First-Served) scheduling.

A- FCFS (First-Come, First-Served) scheduling is a simple scheduling algorithm

where the process that arrives first is executed first. It works on a non-preemptive
basis, meaning once a process starts executing, it continues until it completes or
blocks.

15. What is the round-robin scheduling algorithm?

A- The round-robin scheduling algorithm is a preemptive scheduling algorithm

where each process is assigned a fixed time slice or quantum. Processes are
executed in a cyclic manner, and if a process's time slice expires, it is moved to
the back of the queue and the next process is executed.
16. What necessary conditions can lead to a deadlock situation in a system?

A- Deadlock situations can occur when four necessary conditions are present
simultaneously: mutual exclusion (resources cannot be shared), hold and wait
(processes hold resources while waiting for others), no preemption (resources
cannot be forcibly taken from processes), and circular wait (a circular chain of
processes waits for resources).

17. Enumerate the different RAID levels.

A- RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is a technology used to combine

multiple physical disk drives into a single logical unit for improved performance,
reliability, or both. Different RAID levels include RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID 5, RAID 10,
etc., each with its own characteristics and trade-offs.

18. What factors determine whether a detection algorithm must be utilized in a

deadlock avoidance system?

A- A detection algorithm is utilized in a deadlock avoidance system when the

necessary conditions for deadlock cannot be ensured. Factors such as system
overhead, resource utilization, and the likelihood of deadlock occurrence
influence the decision to use a detection algorithm.

19. Differentiate logical from physical address space.

A- The logical address space refers to the address space visible to a process, which
is divided into pages or segments. The physical address space, on the other hand,
represents the actual physical memory locations where data is stored.

20. How does dynamic loading aid in better memory space utilization?

A- Dynamic loading allows programs to load portions of code into memory on-
demand, rather than loading the entire program at once. This aids in better
memory space utilization as only the required parts of the program are loaded
when needed, reducing memory wastage.

21. What are overlays?

A- Overlays are a technique used in memory management to allow a program to
be larger than the available memory. The program is divided into logical sections,
and only the required sections are loaded into memory as needed, swapping out
sections when necessary.

22. What is the basic function of paging?

A- The basic function of paging is to provide a mechanism for translating logical

addresses used by a program into physical addresses in memory. It allows the
operating system to allocate and manage memory in fixed-size blocks called
pages.

23. What is fragmentation?

A- Fragmentation refers to the division of memory or disk space into small, non-
contiguous blocks. It can occur in two forms: external fragmentation, where free
memory becomes scattered and unusable, and internal fragmentation, where
allocated memory contains unused space.

24. How does swapping result in better memory management?

A- Swapping is a memory management technique where a process is temporarily

moved out of main memory (RAM) to a secondary storage device (usually disk)
when it is not actively running. This allows the operating system to free up
memory for other processes and improves overall memory management.

25. Give an example of a process state.

A- Example process states include running (currently being executed by the CPU),
ready (waiting to be assigned to the CPU), blocked (waiting for a specific event or
resource), and terminated (completed execution).

26. What is a socket?

A- A socket is an endpoint for communication in a network. It represents a

combination of IP address and port number and enables processes to send and
receive data over a network.
27. What is direct access method?

A- Direct access method refers to a method of accessing data in a storage device

directly, without sequentially reading through all the preceding data. It allows
random access to specific data locations, making it suitable for certain types of
storage media like disks.

28. When does thrashing occur?

A- Thrashing occurs in a computer system when excessive paging or swapping

activity takes place, leading to a significant decrease in performance. It happens
when the system spends more time moving pages between memory and disk
than executing actual useful work.

29. What is the best page size when designing an operating system?

A- The best page size when designing an operating system depends on factors
such as the size of the physical memory, the characteristics of the applications
running on the system, and the overhead associated with managing page tables.
Different page sizes have different trade-offs in terms of memory efficiency and
overhead.

30. When designing the file structure for an operating system, what attributes
are considered?

A- When designing the file structure for an operating system, attributes such as
file organization, file naming conventions, file access methods, file permissions,
file metadata, and directory structure are considered. These attributes determine
how files are stored, accessed, and managed by the operating system.

31. What is the root partition?

A- The root partition is the top-level directory in a file system hierarchy. It is the
starting point from which all other directories and files in the file system can be
accessed.

32. What are device drivers?

A- Device drivers are software components that enable the operating system to
communicate and interact with specific hardware devices. They provide an
interface for the operating system to control and access hardware resources.

33. What are the primary functions of VFS (Virtual File System)?

A- The primary functions of the Virtual File System (VFS) are to provide a uniform
interface for accessing different types of file systems, handle file system
operations such as opening, closing, reading, and writing files, and manage file
system caches and buffers.

34. What are the different types of CPU registers in a typical operating system
design?

A- In a typical operating system design, the different types of CPU registersinclude

general-purpose registers (used for various computations and data manipulation),
special-purpose registers (for specific tasks like program counters and stack
pointers), and control registers (used for controlling CPU behavior and system
settings).

35. What is the purpose of I/O status information?

A- I/O status information refers to the current status or state of input/output

operations being performed by the system. It includes details such as the status of
I/O devices, the progress of ongoing I/O operations, and any error or completion
notifications.

36. What is multitasking?

A- Multitasking refers to the ability of an operating system to execute multiple

tasks or processes concurrently. It allows multiple programs or processes to run in
overlapping time intervals, giving the illusion of simultaneous execution.

37. What are some pros and cons of a command-line interface?

A- Command-line interfaces (CLIs) have pros such as precise control over system
operations, automation of tasks through scripts, and efficient resource utilization.
However, they can be more complex for novice users and may require
memorization of commands.

38. What is caching?

A- Caching is a technique used in computer systems to store frequently accessed

data in a fast, closer-to-the-processor memory, such as cache memory. It
improves system performance by reducing the time and effort required to
retrieve data from slower, more distant storage.

39. What is spooling?

A- Spooling (Simultaneous Peripheral Operations On-Line) is a technique used to

efficiently manage I/O operations by storing data temporarily in a buffer or spool
before processing. It allows multiple processes or devices to share a common
resource without conflicts.

40. What is an assembler?

A- An assembler is a program that translates assembly language code into

machine code that can be understood and executed by the computer's processor.
It performs the conversion of mnemonic instructions to their binary
representation.

41. What are interrupts?

A- Interrupts are signals generated by hardware devices or software to interrupt

the normal flow of program execution. They allow the operating system to
respond to external events, handle exceptional conditions, and perform necessary
actions.

42. What is GUI (Graphical User Interface)?

A- GUI (Graphical User Interface) is a user interface that utilizes graphical

elements such as windows, icons, menus, and buttons to interact with the
computer system. It provides a visually intuitive and user-friendly way to interact
with applications and perform tasks.
43. What is preemptive multitasking?

A- Preemptive multitasking is a scheduling technique where the operating system

can interrupt a running task or process and allocate the CPU to another process. It
allows for better utilization of the CPU and enables the execution of multiple
tasks concurrently.

44. Why is partitioning and formatting a prerequisite to installing an operating

system?

A- Partitioning and formatting are prerequisites to installing an operating system

because they involve preparing the disk for data storage and organizing it into
logical sections. Partitioning divides the disk into separate sections, while
formatting establishes the file system structure and prepares the partitions for
data storage.

45. What is plumbing/piping?

A- Plumbing/piping refers to the mechanism of connecting the output of one

command or program to the input of another, allowing them to work together in
a sequential manner. It enables the chaining of commands, passing data between
them without intermediate files.

46. What is NOS (Network Operating System)?

A- NOS (Network Operating System) is an operating system specifically designed

to manage and support network resources, services, and protocols. It provides
functionalities such as file sharing, printer sharing, user authentication, and
network communication.

47. Differentiate internal commands from external commands.

A- Internal commands are built-in commands provided by the operating system

itself, while external commands are separate executable programs that can be
run from the command-line interface. Internal commands are typically faster to
execute and have direct access to system resources.
48. How would a file named "examplefile.txt" appear when viewed under the
DOS command console operating in Windows 98?

A- In the DOS command console operating in Windows 98, the file

"examplefile.txt" would appear as "EXAMPLEF.TXT" due to the 8.3 file naming
convention of that system, where file names were truncated to eight characters
followed by a three-character extension.

49. What is a folder in Ubuntu?

A- In Ubuntu, a folder is a directory that can contain files and other folders. It is
used to organize and store data and provides a hierarchical structure for file
organization.

50. Explain the meaning of the "export" command in Ubuntu.

A- In Ubuntu, the "export" command is used to set or modify environment

variables. It allows the user to define variables that can be accessed by other
processes and programs running on the system.

51. Explain how you can reset Unity configuration.

A- Unity configuration in Ubuntu can be reset by using the command "unity-reset"

or by resetting the Unity settings through the Unity Tweak Tool or the Unity
Control Center.

52. Explain how to access the terminal.

A- The terminal in Ubuntu can be accessed by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T or by searching

for "Terminal" in the applications menu. It provides a command-line interface
where users can enter commands and interact with the system.

53. What are turnaround time and response time?

A- Turnaround time refers to the total time taken to execute a particular task or
process, including waiting time, execution time, and any other overhead.
Response time, on the other hand, refers to the time taken from initiating a
request or command to receiving the first output or response.
54. What are the typical elements of a process image?

A- Typical elements of a process image include the executable code, program

data, process stack, heap, and various process control blocks (PCBs) that store
information about the process's state, resources, and execution context.

55. What is the Translation Lookaside Buffer (TLB)?

A- The Translation Lookaside Buffer (TLB) is a hardware cache used in memory

management to accelerate the virtual-to-physical address translation process. It
stores recently accessed virtual-to-physical address mappings, reducing the need
for repeated address translation in the memory management unit.

56. What is the resident set and working set of a process?

A- The resident set of a process refers to the portion of its virtual address space
that is currently present in physical memory. The working set of a process refers
to the subset of the resident set that the process actively uses during its
execution.

57. When is a system in a safe state?

A- A system is considered to be in a safe state if it can allocate resources to each

process in a way that avoids deadlock. In a safe state, it is always possible to find a
scheduling order that allows all processes to complete their execution without
entering a deadlock state.

58. What is cycle stealing?

A- Cycle stealing is a technique used in computer systems with multiple devices to

allow a slower device to temporarily borrow CPU cycles from a faster device. It
enables efficient utilization of system resources by overlapping the execution of
slower operations with faster operations.

59. What is the difference between a monolithic kernel and a microkernel?

A- A monolithic kernel is a type of kernel where all operating system services and
functionalities are implemented as a single, large module. In contrast, a
microkernel architecture keeps the kernel as small as possible, delegating most
services to user-level processes or modules.

60. Explain the concept of virtual machines.

A- Virtual machines (VMs) are software-based emulations of computer systems

that allow multiple operating systems to run concurrently on a single physical
machine. Each VM operates as an independent entity, running its own guest
operating system and applications.