Enhance your understanding with OS MCQs. Explore a wide range of topics and boost your preparation with expert-curated multiple-choice questions and answers.
Operating System (OS) MCQs are an excellent way to solidify your understanding of core concepts. They test various topics in OS, ranging from memory management to process scheduling. By practicing these questions regularly, you can improve problem-solving speed, accuracy, and overall knowledge. Prepare effectively with the right resources and expert-backed content.
Here are 20 sample questions and answers related to Operating Systems:
What is an operating system?
An operating system (OS) is software that manages computer hardware and software resources, providing services for computer programs.
What does a process control block (PCB) contain?
The PCB contains information about a process, such as its state, program counter, CPU registers, and memory management information.
Which of the following is not a type of OS?
What is virtual memory?
Virtual memory allows programs to use more memory than is physically available by using disk space to simulate additional RAM.
What is the role of the CPU scheduler?
The CPU scheduler is responsible for deciding which process should be executed next by the CPU.
What is a deadlock?
A deadlock is a situation in which two or more processes are unable to continue because they are waiting for each other to release resources.
What is a file system?
A file system is used by an operating system to organize and store files on storage devices like hard drives or SSDs.
Which of the following is a benefit of multitasking?
Which of the following is not a type of scheduling algorithm?
What is the purpose of a semaphore?
A semaphore is a synchronization tool used to manage access to shared resources in concurrent programming.
What is a page fault?
A page fault occurs when a program tries to access data that is not currently in the physical memory.
Which of the following is an example of a real-time operating system?
What is the function of an interrupt?
An interrupt signals the CPU to stop executing the current instruction and begin processing a more urgent task.
What is the difference between internal and external fragmentation?
Internal fragmentation occurs when memory is allocated but not fully used, while external fragmentation happens when free memory is scattered.
What is thrashing?
Thrashing occurs when the operating system spends more time swapping data between memory and disk than executing processes.
What is the main goal of memory management in an OS?
The goal is to optimize the use of physical memory and provide an environment for processes to execute efficiently.
What is the purpose of a system call?
A system call provides an interface between user programs and the operating system, allowing programs to request services like I/O operations.
Which of the following is not a memory management technique?
What is a socket in networking?
A socket is an endpoint for sending or receiving data across a computer network.
What is a bootstrap loader?
A bootstrap loader is a small program that initializes the operating system when the computer is turned on.
What is a file descriptor?
A file descriptor is an integer used by an operating system to identify an open file or a stream.
What is a race condition?
A race condition occurs when multiple processes or threads access shared resources concurrently, leading to unpredictable results.
Which scheduling algorithm is used in UNIX?
What does FIFO stand for in the context of memory management?
FIFO stands for "First-In, First-Out," and is a memory management technique where the oldest page is replaced first when new pages are needed.
What is the purpose of a process in an operating system?
A process is a program in execution, which requires system resources to complete its task.
What is the function of a file allocation table (FAT)?
A FAT keeps track of the allocation of file data blocks on a disk, ensuring that files are properly stored and accessed.
What is a device driver?
A device driver is a software component that allows the operating system to interact with hardware peripherals, like printers or keyboards.
What is a context switch?
A context switch is the process of saving the state of a currently running process and loading the state of a new process to be executed.
What is the main difference between a monolithic kernel and a microkernel?
A monolithic kernel includes all the OS services in one large block, while a microkernel separates the essential services into smaller modules.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a multi-user operating system?
What is the function of an operating system's shell?
The shell is a command-line interface that allows users to interact with the operating system by entering commands.
What is a system call interface?
A system call interface allows user programs to request services from the operating system by invoking system calls.
What is the difference between a primary and a secondary storage device?
Primary storage, like RAM, is used for immediate data access, while secondary storage, like hard drives, is used for long-term data storage.
What does the term "booting" refer to?
Booting refers to the process of starting up a computer, which includes loading the operating system into memory.
What is a virtual machine?
A virtual machine is a software-based simulation of a physical computer, allowing multiple operating systems to run on a single machine.
What is a multi-threaded process?
A multi-threaded process is a process that is divided into smaller threads that can run concurrently, sharing resources and improving performance.
What is a kernel panic?
A kernel panic occurs when the operating system encounters an unrecoverable error, typically leading to a system crash.
What is the role of an operating system’s kernel?
The kernel manages system resources, processes, memory, and hardware interfaces in an operating system.
What is a buffer in an operating system?
A buffer is a temporary storage area that holds data being transferred between devices or between a program and a device.
What is a watchdog timer?
A watchdog timer is a hardware or software timer used to detect and recover from system malfunctions or crashes by resetting the system if it becomes unresponsive.
What is the difference between hard and soft real-time systems?
Hard real-time systems require strict timing constraints, while soft real-time systems have more flexible timing requirements.
What is a signal in UNIX operating systems?
A signal is a limited form of inter-process communication used to notify a process of an event, such as an error or external interrupt.
What is the difference between internal and external commands in an OS?
Internal commands are built into the command interpreter (shell), while external commands are stored as separate executable files.
What is a system call number?
A system call number is an identifier used to specify which system service a user program is requesting.
What is spooling in an operating system?
Spooling refers to the process of placing data in a buffer, typically for I/O operations, to be processed later, such as printing a document.
What is the function of the operating system’s resource manager?
The resource manager allocates and manages system resources like memory, CPU time, and input/output devices to different processes.
What is the purpose of the command interpreter in an OS?
The command interpreter processes user commands, translates them into system calls, and executes them on behalf of the user.
What is the difference between a thread and a process?
A process is an independent program in execution, while a thread is a smaller unit of a process that can run concurrently with other threads.
What does the term "zombie process" mean?
A zombie process is a process that has finished execution but still has an entry in the process table because its parent has not yet read its exit status.
What is memory paging?
Memory paging is a memory management scheme that eliminates the need for contiguous memory allocation, dividing memory into fixed-size blocks called pages.
Best Indian Books for OS MCQs
"Operating System Concepts" by Silberschatz, Galvin, and Gagne (Wiley)
"Operating Systems" by A. S. Tanenbaum (Pearson)
"Unix and Linux System Programming" by Kay A. Robbins and Steven Robbins (Pearson)
"Operating System MCQs" by R.S. Gaonkar (Penram International Publishing)
"Operating System: Concepts & Applications" by Achyut S. Godbole and Atul K. Pate (Technical Publications)
"Introduction to Operating Systems" by Pradeep Gohil (Oxford University Press)
"Operating Systems: Design and Implementation" by Andrew S. Tanenbaum (Prentice Hall)
"Operating System for Engineers" by A.P. Mathur (PHI Learning)
"Fundamentals of Operating Systems" by M. S. N. Ramaswamy (Scitech Publications)
"Principles of Operating Systems" by S. S. K. Kainth (Khanna Publishers)
"Operating System MCQs" by Deepak Kumar (Laxmi Publications)
"Operating Systems: Theory and Practice" by D. M. Dhamdhere (McGraw Hill)
"Advanced Operating Systems" by Mukesh Soni (I.K. International Publishing House)
"Operating Systems: A Practical Approach" by M. K. Jaiswal (Dreamtech Press)
"System Programming and Operating Systems" by D. M. Dhamdhere (McGraw-Hill Education)
"Operating Systems: A Conceptual Approach" by Nutt (Prentice Hall)
"Operating System: A Design-Oriented Approach" by Ramesh S. Gaonkar (McGraw-Hill Education)
"Introduction to Operating Systems" by D. M. Dhamdhere (McGraw-Hill)
"Operating System Principles" by William Stallings (Pearson)
"Advanced Concepts in Operating Systems" by Mukesh R. Soni (I.K. International Publishing House)
Top Indian Books on OS MCQ for Exam Preparation
Operating Systems: Principles and Design by P. Silberschatz, P. B. Galvin, G. Gagne
Publisher: Wiley
The book provides a solid foundation in the principles of operating systems, with MCQs focusing on system architecture, process synchronization, and memory management. The questions are designed to test conceptual understanding and problem-solving skills.
Operating Systems Concepts by Abraham Silberschatz
Publisher: Wiley
Known for its clear explanations, this book includes numerous MCQs on topics such as file systems, process scheduling, and security. The questions challenge students to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
Operating Systems: Internals and Design Principles by William Stallings
Publisher: Pearson
This book offers an in-depth look at operating systems, with questions related to memory management, file system implementation, and network OS. MCQs are structured to assess both basic and advanced understanding of OS concepts.
Operating Systems: A Concept-Based Approach by D. M. Dhamdhere
Publisher: Macmillan
Dhamdhere's book focuses on the essential concepts of operating systems, with a large collection of MCQs on topics like process synchronization, scheduling algorithms, and deadlock handling. It helps students prepare for competitive exams as well as university-level tests.
Operating System Concepts with Java by Abraham Silberschatz
Publisher: Wiley
This book introduces students to OS concepts and includes MCQs that are based on real-world applications of operating systems. Questions cover topics such as Java-based OS concepts and system calls.
Introduction to Operating Systems by Harvey M. Deitel
Publisher: Pearson
Deitel’s book is known for its approachable style. It provides MCQs that test knowledge of the OS structure, multi-tasking, process management, and real-time systems, with a practical angle to problem-solving.
Operating Systems: A Modern Perspective by Mukesh Chaudhary
Publisher: Oxford University Press
The book focuses on modern operating systems and includes MCQs on topics like virtual memory, disk scheduling, and security. The questions are designed to promote critical thinking and test the application of OS concepts.
Operating Systems: Design and Implementation by Andrew S. Tanenbaum
Publisher: Pearson
This classic text is accompanied by a collection of MCQs that cover everything from process management to OS design principles. The MCQs are structured to provide a deep understanding of the practical aspects of OS implementation.
Operating Systems: A Practical Approach by V. V. M. Gupta
Publisher: Tata McGraw-Hill
Gupta’s book provides MCQs that focus on real-life OS scenarios, covering resource management, system calls, and file systems. It’s a great resource for exam preparation and understanding the inner workings of operating systems.
Operating Systems: Theory and Practice by P. C. Gupta
Publisher: PHI Learning
Gupta’s book is packed with MCQs related to OS processes, scheduling algorithms, and memory management techniques. It is designed to help students grasp the practical applications of OS concepts.
Mastering operating system concepts is crucial for anyone pursuing a career in computer science or information technology. Operating systems (OS) serve as the backbone for managing hardware and software resources. From handling processes to memory management and file systems, OS knowledge is a fundamental requirement for students and professionals alike. MCQs (Multiple Choice Questions) have become one of the most effective ways to prepare for exams and sharpen one’s understanding of these complex topics.
MCQs test your ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations. When it comes to operating systems, these questions cover a wide range of topics, including process management, synchronization, scheduling algorithms, file systems, memory management, and OS security. The ability to answer MCQs correctly requires both a solid grasp of theory and a deep understanding of how these concepts work in real-world applications.
One of the major advantages of OS MCQs is that they provide a quick and efficient way to assess your knowledge. By practicing with MCQs, you can identify areas where you might need more focus, while also reinforcing your strengths. Moreover, the structure of multiple-choice questions allows students to test their knowledge in a time-constrained manner, which is beneficial for competitive exams and interviews.
Operating system MCQs typically include a mix of simple and complex questions. Some may test your basic understanding of definitions, such as the role of the operating system or the purpose of memory management. Others may be more technical, requiring a detailed understanding of algorithms or the functionality of OS components. This variety ensures that students are well-prepared for any type of question that may come their way.
Additionally, OS MCQs are often designed to reflect the real-world challenges faced by operating systems. For example, questions may cover deadlock handling, process synchronization, and the implementation of scheduling algorithms like Round Robin or First-Come-First-Served. Students are encouraged to apply their knowledge of theoretical concepts to these practical scenarios, preparing them for the type of problems they will encounter in the workplace.
The key to effectively using OS MCQs for exam preparation is consistent practice. By working through a variety of questions, students can familiarize themselves with different question formats, time constraints, and the depth of knowledge required. Over time, this practice will help build confidence and improve performance in exams.
While MCQs are an excellent way to test and reinforce your knowledge, it’s important to balance this with other forms of study, such as hands-on practice and theoretical reading. Combining multiple learning approaches will ensure that you not only perform well on exams but also gain a thorough understanding of how operating systems work in real-world settings.
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