Operating Systems Ch1&2 Test

1.

Stores data and programs and is also referred to as real or primary memory.

Explanation
Main memory, also known as primary memory, is responsible for storing data and programs that are currently being used by the computer. It is the primary storage location that the computer's processor can directly access. Main memory is volatile, meaning that its contents are lost when the computer is powered off or restarted. It is an essential component of a computer system, as it allows for fast access to data and instructions, improving overall system performance. Therefore, the correct answer is main memory.

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2.

What moves data between the computer and its external environment?

Explanation
I/O modules are responsible for moving data between the computer and its external environment. These modules act as intermediaries, facilitating communication and data transfer between the computer's internal components and external devices such as keyboards, mice, monitors, printers, and network connections. They provide the necessary interfaces and protocols to ensure seamless data exchange, allowing the computer to send and receive information from the outside world. Without I/O modules, the computer would be unable to interact with its external environment and perform tasks such as inputting data, displaying output, or connecting to networks.

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3.

Provides for communication amoung processors, main memory, and I/O modules.

A.

Control and status registers
B.

User-visible registers
C.

System bus
D.

Program counter

Correct Answer
C. System bus

Explanation
The system bus is responsible for facilitating communication between processors, main memory, and I/O modules. It allows for the transfer of data and instructions between these components, enabling them to work together effectively. Control and status registers are used to manage and monitor the operations of the system, while user-visible registers are used for storing data that can be accessed by the user. The program counter keeps track of the memory address of the next instruction to be executed.

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4.

What are the 2 main categories of processor registers.

Correct Answer
User- visible registers, Control and status registers

Explanation
The two main categories of processor registers are user-visible registers and control and status registers. User-visible registers are the registers that are directly accessible by the programmer and are used to store data and perform arithmetic and logical operations. Control and status registers, on the other hand, are used to control the operation of the processor and store the status information such as flags, interrupt status, and program counters. These two categories of registers play a crucial role in the functioning of a processor.

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5.

What are the 4 distinct actions that a machine instructions can specify.

Correct Answer
Processor memory, Processor I/O, Data processing, Control

Explanation
Machine instructions can specify four distinct actions: processor memory, processor I/O, data processing, and control. Processor memory refers to instructions that involve accessing and manipulating data stored in the computer's memory. Processor I/O instructions are used for input and output operations, allowing the machine to interact with external devices. Data processing instructions perform calculations and operations on data, such as arithmetic operations or logical comparisons. Control instructions control the flow of execution within a program, including branching, looping, and conditional statements. These four types of actions cover the essential operations that a machine instruction can specify.

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6.

What are the 4 main elements of a computer?

A.

Processor, User visible registers, I/O modules, System bus
B.

Processor, PC, Main memory, System bus
C.

Processor, Main memory, I/O modules, System bus

Correct Answer
C. Processor, Main memory, I/O modules, System bus

Explanation
The correct answer is Processor, Main memory, I/O modules, System bus. These four elements are essential components of a computer system. The processor is responsible for executing instructions, while the main memory stores data and instructions for the processor to access. I/O modules allow for communication between the computer and external devices, and the system bus is the pathway that connects all the components together, allowing them to communicate and exchange data.

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