Operating System and Computer Architecture

Worksheet

Q1 2015-SP, P1

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Andrew sends a large document to a printer

(b) The printer runs out of paper during the printing job. A signal is sent back to the computer to
stop temporarily its current task. Name this type of signal.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…… [1]

Q2 2014-June, P11

2 (a) (i) A student wrote: “batch processing can be used when making airline bookings”. Why is this
statement incorrect?

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

(ii) The same student also wrote: “to launch an application, a graphical user interface (GUI)
requires typing the name of the application using a keyboard”. Why is this statement incorrect?

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. [1]

Q3 2014-June, P12

2 (b) Describe the main differences between batch processing and real time transaction processing.

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

Q4 2014-June, P11

2(b) A user interface is a function of a typical operating system. Write down four other functions of a
typical operating system.

1 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……….

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2 ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………

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3……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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4……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Q5 2013-June, P11

Which three computer terms are being described below?

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(ii) Signal sent from a printer requesting attention from the processor; this causes a temporary
break in the execution of whatever the processor is doing

…………………………………………………….,,,,,,………………………………………………………………………………………

(iii) Exchange of signals between two devices to ensure synchronization when communication
starts

…………………………………………………….,,,,,,………………………………………………………………………………………

(iv) Temporary storage area in a printer that holds data waiting to be printed

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [3]

Q6 2012-June, P11

13 Andrew is sending a large document to a printer.

(a) State the name for the area of memory used to store temporarily the data being sent to the printer.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(b) The printer runs out of paper during the printing job. A signal is sent back to the computer to
temporarily stop its current task. Name this type of signal.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

(c) When trying to save this document after it was printed, the computer stops responding. Give
two reasons why the computer might stop responding.

1…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………

2…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

(d) Andrew ended up losing his electronic document. How could that have been prevented?

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Q7 2011-Nov, P13

3 A user wishes to use a word processing application. They can either use a command line interface (CLI) or
a graphical user interface (GUI) to open this application.

(a) Describe how both methods could be used to select the application including any input
hardware needed.

(i) CLI
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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(ii) GUI……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [4]

15 A student gave the following three computer definitions. Give the name of the term being
described in each case.

(i) “a signal from a device sent to a computer causing the CPU to stop its current operation

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temporarily”

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“an exchange of signals between two devices when communicating to ensure synchronisation”
(ii)
………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………..………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

“a temporary memory to store data waiting to be sent to a device”

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(iii)
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Q8 2010-Nov, P13

4 (a) Describe two differences between batch processing and real-time transaction processing.

1 …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

2…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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(b) Give one example of the use of each type of processing.

batch: …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

real-time transaction: ……………..…………………………………………………………………………………………………

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..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Q9 2011-June, P12
Most operating systems provide a user interface. (a) User interfaces can be either command
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line interfaces (CLI) or graphical user interfaces (GUI). Give ONE advantage and ONE disadvantage

of both types of interface.

Advantage CLI:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…

Disadvantage CLI: …………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………..

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…

Advantage GUI: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…

Disadvantage GUI:
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

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[4]

(b) Give THREE other tasks carried out by an operating system.

1………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…

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2………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…

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…

3………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…

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[3]

Q10 2010-Nov, P12

5 A large cinema uses a computer system to control the air conditioning and also the day to day
running
of the business (such as booking seats).

(b) State two tasks carried out by an operating system.

1…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

Q11 2010-Nov, P11

5 A large cinema uses a computer system to control the air conditioning and also the day to day running
of the business (such as booking seats).

(a) Using examples from the cinema application, explain the difference between real time
transaction processing and real time process control.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Q12 2009-Nov

1 Explain, using examples where appropriate, the meaning of these computer terms.

(a) Interrupt………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...………..………..

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [2]

(b) Icon………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………..

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Q13 2009-June

3 (a) Give three features of a typical operating system.

1…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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3…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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(b) Some microprocessor-controlled devices do not need an operating

system. (i) Give one example of such a device.

………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………… [1]

(ii) Give one reason why it does not need an operating system.

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4 (b) How can an interrupt be generated?

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..…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… [1]

Q14 2008-June

2 List two tasks carried out by an operating system.

1……………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………………………………

2………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………………………

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Q15 2007-Nov

8 Give three tasks carried out by systems software.

1……………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………

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……………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………
2………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………

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3…………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………

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Q16 2006-June

4 Give three file management tasks that are done by a computer operating system.

1……………………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………

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2………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………………

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3…………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………

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Q17 2004-June

5 Interfaces enable computer users to interact with the operating system.

State three advantages for using a graphical user interface (GUI) for loading programs and files.

1…………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………………

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2………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………

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3…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………

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Q18 2003-June

6 State the purpose of an interrupt when data is sent to a disk drive.

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Q19 2002-Nov

6 (c) Explain the purpose of interrupts in the transmission of data to a printer.

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8 The diagram shows part of a directory structure displayed by a windows-based operating system.

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(a) Name

(i) a root directory ...............................................................................................................

(ii) a sub-directory ............................................................................................................... [2]

(b) Describe what happens to a floppy disk when it is formatted.

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

……………...................................................................................................................................... [2]

(c) State three tasks, other than formatting, that an operating system will do for a user.
1…………………………………………………………………………………………..
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2………………………………………………………………………………………………..…………………………………………………………

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3…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………

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……………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………………………

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