Operating Systems & Computer Networks Flashcards
6 cards from real B.S.W.E. Bachelor of Software Engineering practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Operating Systems & Computer Networks flashcards as text
What is a process in an operating system?
Answer: A program in execution with its own memory space and resources
A process is an instance of a program in execution, with its own memory address space, program counter, and allocated system resources.
What is the key difference between a process and a thread?
Answer: Threads share memory within a process; processes have separate memory spaces
Threads are lightweight execution units within a process that share the same memory space, while separate processes have isolated memory.
What is virtual memory in operating systems?
Answer: A technique using disk space to extend apparent RAM capacity
Virtual memory allows the OS to use disk space (swap/page file) as an extension of RAM, enabling programs to use more memory than physically installed.
What scheduling algorithm serves the process that has been waiting the longest?
Answer: First Come First Served (FCFS)
First Come First Served (FCFS) processes tasks in the order they arrive, giving CPU time to whichever process has been waiting longest.
What is a semaphore in operating systems?
Answer: A synchronization mechanism controlling access to shared resources
A semaphore is a synchronization primitive used to control concurrent access to shared resources and prevent race conditions.
What does the OSI model describe?
Answer: A framework for network communication protocols in seven layers
The OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model describes network communication as seven distinct layers from physical transmission to application protocols.