Operating System MCQ (Multiple Choice Questions)

The principles of structured programming forbid the use of

A. WHILE-DO
B. GOTO
C. IF-THEN-ELSE
D. DO-WHILE

Check Answer

The correct answer is B) GOTO.

The principles of structured programming forbid the use of GOTO. The use of GOTO statements can make code difficult to understand and maintain, and can lead to errors and bugs. Structured programming encourages the use of control structures such as loops (WHILE-DO, DO-WHILE) and conditional statements (IF-THEN-ELSE) to improve the readability and maintainability of code.
A hardware device that is capable of executing a sequence of instructions, is known as

A. CPU
B. ALU
C. CU
D. None of these

Check Answer

A hardware device that is capable of executing a sequence of instructions is known as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Therefore, option A is the correct answer.
Explanation:
The CPU, also known as the processor, is the primary component of a computer system responsible for performing instructions and processing data. It is a hardware device that is capable of executing a sequence of instructions that make up a computer program. The CPU retrieves instructions from memory, decodes them, and executes them using its ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit), registers, and control unit (CU).
The ALU is a part of the CPU responsible for performing arithmetic and logical operations on data. The CU is responsible for managing the CPU’s operation by controlling the flow of data between the CPU and other components of the computer system.
Therefore, option A (CPU) is the correct answer. Options B (ALU) and C (CU) are also components of the CPU, but they are not capable of executing a sequence of instructions on their own.
Which of the following is true about pseudocode

A. A machine language
B. An assembly language
C. A high-level language
D. None of these

Check Answer

The correct answer is C) A high-level language.
Pseudocode is a high-level language that is used to describe the logic of a computer program in a more human-readable format. It is not a machine language or an assembly language.
Option A, a machine language, is the lowest-level programming language that is directly executable by a computer’s central processing unit (CPU).
Option B, an assembly language, is a low-level programming language that uses symbolic representations of computer instructions and registers.
Therefore, options A (A machine language) and B (An assembly language) are incorrect. Option D (None of these) is also incorrect because pseudocode is indeed a high-level language.
A critical region is

A. a program segment that has not been proved bug-free
B. a program segment that often causes unexpected system crashes
C. a program segment where shared resources are accessed
D. one which is enclosed by a pair of P and V operations on semaphores

Check Answer

The correct answer is C) a program segment where shared resources are accessed.
A critical region is a segment of a program where shared resources, such as memory or I/O devices, are accessed. In a multi-process or multi-threaded environment, a critical region must be accessed by only one process or thread at a time to avoid conflicts and ensure data consistency.
Option A, a program segment that has not been proved bug-free, is not a correct definition of critical region. It describes an unverified or potentially problematic code segment, but not specifically a critical region.
Option B, a program segment that often causes unexpected system crashes, is also not a correct definition of critical region. It describes a code segment that causes system instability, but not specifically a critical region.
Option D, one which is enclosed by a pair of P and V operations on semaphores, is a synchronization technique used to control access to critical regions, but it is not a definition of critical region itself.
Assembler language

A. is usually the primary user interface
B. requires fixed-format commands
C. is a mnemonic form of machine language
D. is quite different from the SCL interpreter

Check Answer

The correct answer is C. Assembler language is a mnemonic form of machine language.

Assembler language, also known as assembly language, is a low-level programming language that is used to write programs that can be executed directly by a computer’s processor. Assembly language is considered to be a mnemonic form of machine language because it uses human-readable mnemonics to represent the machine instructions that the processor executes.
Some key characteristics of assembler language include:
It is a low-level language, meaning that it is closer to the machine hardware than high-level programming languages like Python or Java.
It requires fixed-format commands, meaning that the layout of the code on the page must follow a specific structure.
It is often used for system-level programming tasks, such as writing device drivers or operating system components.
It is typically more difficult to learn and use than higher-level programming languages, due to its close association with machine hardware and lack of abstraction.
Therefore, option C (“is a mnemonic form of machine language”) is the correct answer, while options A (“is usually the primary user interface”), B (“requires fixed-format commands”), and D (“is quite different from the SCL interpreter”) are incorrect.
The primary job of the operating system of a computer is to

A. command resources
B. manage resources
C. provide utilities
D. be user friendly

Check Answer

The correct answer is B. The primary job of the operating system of a computer is to manage resources.
The operating system (OS) is a fundamental component of a computer system that manages various hardware and software resources. Its primary job is to manage these resources in an efficient and effective manner, so that applications can run smoothly and the system can perform optimally.
Some of the key resources that an operating system manages include:
CPU (Central Processing Unit): The OS allocates processing time to different programs and processes running on the computer, ensuring that each one gets the resources it needs to run.
Memory: The OS manages the system’s memory, ensuring that different applications and processes have access to the memory they need to run.
Input/output (I/O) devices: The OS controls how data is read from and written to various input/output devices, such as disk drives, printers, and network devices.
File system: The OS manages how data is stored and organized on the computer’s file system, including how files and directories are named, organized, and accessed.
Therefore, option B (“manage resources”) is the correct answer, while options A (“command resources”), C (“provide utilities”), and D (“be user friendly”) are incorrect.
The primary purpose of an operating system is to

A. make computer easier to use
B. keep system programmers employed
C. make the most efficient use of the hardware
D. allow people to sue the computers
E. None of above

Check Answer

The primary purpose of an operating system is to make the most efficient use of the hardware. Therefore, option C is the correct answer.
Explanation:
An operating system (OS) is a software that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer system. It provides a platform for other software to run on, and performs various system-level functions such as memory management, process management, and device management.
One of the key functions of an operating system is to make the most efficient use of the computer hardware. This involves managing the computer’s resources such as memory, processor, and input/output devices, and ensuring that they are used in the most efficient manner possible. By doing this, an operating system can help to improve the performance and reliability of a computer system.
While making computers easier to use is also a goal of many operating systems, it is not the primary purpose. Similarly, keeping system programmers employed or allowing people to use computers are not the primary purposes of an operating system.
Therefore, option C (make the most efficient use of the hardware) is the correct answer.
The Operating system manages

A. Memory
B. Processor
C. Disks and I/O devices
D. All of the above

Check Answer

The correct answer is D) All of the above.
Explanation:
An operating system is software that manages the resources of a computer system and provides a platform for other software to run on. It is responsible for managing various system resources such as memory, processor, disks, and input/output (I/O) devices. Some of the key functions performed by an operating system are:
Memory management: The operating system manages the computer’s memory by allocating and deallocating memory as needed by running programs and processes.
Processor management: The operating system manages the CPU by scheduling and prioritizing tasks and processes that need to be executed.
Disk management: The operating system manages the computer’s disk storage by providing a file system that organizes files and directories, and manages access to files and disks.
I/O device management: The operating system manages the input/output (I/O) devices such as keyboards, mice, printers, and displays by providing drivers and interfaces for these devices.
Therefore, option D (All of the above) is the correct answer. Options A (Memory), B (Processor), and C (Disks and I/O devices) are all managed by the operating system.