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Computer Operating Systems(Bbit 222) Question Paper

Computer Operating Systems(Bbit 222)

Course:Computer Information Systems And Business Information Technology

Institution: Kenya Methodist University question papers

Exam Year:2010

TIME : 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS Answer Question and any Other TWO Questions

Question 1
a) Using a relevant example, describe what is meant by the following terms.
i) Operating system (3marks)
ii) Turnaround time (3marks)
iii) Thread (3marks)
b) Explain how caching improve system performance. (4marks)
c) Describe how micro kernels promote portability. (3marks)
d) What is meant by the term semaphore and why are they important to an Operating system. (6marks)
e) Explain why user-level thread should promote portability (4marks)
f) Distinguish between preemptive and non preemptive scheduling (4marks)

Question 2
a) When a process performs a blocking send, it must receive an acknowledgement to unblock. What problem might arise in this scheme and how can it be avoided? (5marks)
b) Why must processes issue system calls to request operating system services? (5marks)
c) Distinguish between preemptive and non preemptive scheduling (6marks)
d) Buffers generally not improve performance if one device or process produces data significantly faster than it is consumed. Explain. (4marks)

Question 3
a) What is a deadlock? (3marks)
b) Discuss any two conditions for a deadlock to occur. (6marks)
c) Discuss any two types of deadlock and how they occur. (6marks)
d) When a process performs a blocking send, it must receive an acknowledgement to unblock. What problem might arise in this scheme and how can it be avoided? (5marks)

Question 4
a) Identify and describe three ways in which a process responds to a signal. (9marks)
b) Discuss the importance of the operating system to prevent users from accessing the boot sector.(4marks)
c) Why is a single boundary register insufficient for protection in a multiuser system? (3marks)
d) Analyse how the operating system prevent a process from taking monopoly of a processor. (4marks)

Question 5
a) What is a synchronous interrupt? (3marks)
b) Describe why processors execution is saved to memory when an interrupt handler executes? (6marks)
c) Distinguish between awake and asleep processes. (6marks)
d) Why should the operating system minimize the time required to perform a context switch? (5marks)

Computer Operating Systems(Bbit 222) Question Paper

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