D686 Exam 1 Questions with 100% Correct
Answers
operating system
A program that manages a computer's hardware, provides a basis for application programs,
and acts as an intermediary between the computer user and the computer hardware.
control program
A program that manages the execution of user programs to prevent errors and improper use
of the computer. It is especially concerned with the operation and control of I/O devices.
resource allocator
An operating system or application that determines how resources are to be used.
embedded computer
A computer system within some other, larger system (such as a car) that performs specific,
limited functions and has little or no user interface.
resource utilization
The amount of a given resource (hardware or software) that is being used.
ease of use
The amount of difficulty and complexity involved in using some aspect of computing.
application program
A program designed for end-user execution, such as a word processor, spreadsheet, compiler,
or Web browser.
Moore’s law
,the idea that the number of parts on a computer chip doubles about every 18 months
kernel
the main part of an operating system that starts running as soon as a computer turns on
bus
A communication system; e.g., within a computer, a bus connects various components, such
as the CPU and I/O devices, allowing them to transfer data and commands.
device driver
An operating system component that provides uniform access to various devices and manages
I/O to those devices.
interrupt
A hardware mechanism that enables a device to notify the CPU that it needs attention.
nonmaskable interrupt
n interrupt that cannot be delayed or blocked (such as an unrecoverable memory error)
interrupt-request line
The hardware connection to the CPU on which interrupts are signaled.
interrupt chaining
A mechanism by which each element in an interrupt vector points to the head of a list of
interrupt handlers, which are called individually until one is found to service the interrupt
request.
bootstrap program
, The program that allows the computer to start running by initializing hardware and loading
the kernel.
von Neumann architecture
The structure of most computers, in which both process instructions and data are stored in the
same main memory.
direct memory access (DMA)
A resource-conserving and performance-improving operation for device controllers allowing
devices to transfer large amounts of data directly to and from main memory.
trap
A software interrupt. The interrupt can be caused either by an error (e.g., division by zero or
invalid memory access) or by a specific request from a user program that an operating-system
service be performed.
system call
Software-triggered interrupt allowing a process to request a kernel service
kernel mode
A CPU mode in which all instructions are enabled. The kernel runs in this mode. See also
user mode.
protection rings
A model of privilege separation consisting of a series of rings, with each successive ring
representing greater execution privileges
I/O subsystem
Answers
operating system
A program that manages a computer's hardware, provides a basis for application programs,
and acts as an intermediary between the computer user and the computer hardware.
control program
A program that manages the execution of user programs to prevent errors and improper use
of the computer. It is especially concerned with the operation and control of I/O devices.
resource allocator
An operating system or application that determines how resources are to be used.
embedded computer
A computer system within some other, larger system (such as a car) that performs specific,
limited functions and has little or no user interface.
resource utilization
The amount of a given resource (hardware or software) that is being used.
ease of use
The amount of difficulty and complexity involved in using some aspect of computing.
application program
A program designed for end-user execution, such as a word processor, spreadsheet, compiler,
or Web browser.
Moore’s law
,the idea that the number of parts on a computer chip doubles about every 18 months
kernel
the main part of an operating system that starts running as soon as a computer turns on
bus
A communication system; e.g., within a computer, a bus connects various components, such
as the CPU and I/O devices, allowing them to transfer data and commands.
device driver
An operating system component that provides uniform access to various devices and manages
I/O to those devices.
interrupt
A hardware mechanism that enables a device to notify the CPU that it needs attention.
nonmaskable interrupt
n interrupt that cannot be delayed or blocked (such as an unrecoverable memory error)
interrupt-request line
The hardware connection to the CPU on which interrupts are signaled.
interrupt chaining
A mechanism by which each element in an interrupt vector points to the head of a list of
interrupt handlers, which are called individually until one is found to service the interrupt
request.
bootstrap program
, The program that allows the computer to start running by initializing hardware and loading
the kernel.
von Neumann architecture
The structure of most computers, in which both process instructions and data are stored in the
same main memory.
direct memory access (DMA)
A resource-conserving and performance-improving operation for device controllers allowing
devices to transfer large amounts of data directly to and from main memory.
trap
A software interrupt. The interrupt can be caused either by an error (e.g., division by zero or
invalid memory access) or by a specific request from a user program that an operating-system
service be performed.
system call
Software-triggered interrupt allowing a process to request a kernel service
kernel mode
A CPU mode in which all instructions are enabled. The kernel runs in this mode. See also
user mode.
protection rings
A model of privilege separation consisting of a series of rings, with each successive ring
representing greater execution privileges
I/O subsystem
