Chapter 1: Operating System (OS) and Graphical User Interface (GUI): Role and Functions

Contents

• Multiple Choice Questions
• Fill in the blanks
• State whether the following icons are system icons or application icons and name them as well:
• Name the following
• Define the following terms
• Differentiate between the following
• Answer the following questions

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1

An operating system is:

1. an application software
2. a system software
3. a loader
4. None

Question 2

MS-DOS is a:

1. single-user OS
2. multi-user OS
3. multi-tasking OS
4. None

Question 3

The extension of an executable file is:

1. .bat
2. .dbf
3. .pdf
4. .exe

Question 4

Windows operating system is popularly known as:

1. Character User Interface
2. Computer User Interface
3. Graphic User Interface
4. None

Question 5

Control Panel is:

1. an application icon
2. a system icon
3. a compiler
4. None

Fill in the blanks

Question 1

The loading of an operating system in the primary memory is called booting.

Question 2

Windows software was first developed by the Microsoft Corporation.

Question 3

Icons are the graphical representations of the programs on the desktop.

Question 4

The bottom-most part of the desktop is called the Task Bar.

Question 5

Computer icon displays all the resources of the computer system.

Question 6

The topmost bar of a window is known as the Title Bar.

State whether the following icons are system icons or application icons and name them as well:

Question 1

Answer

Type: Application Icon
Name: Microsoft Powerpoint

Question 2

Answer

Type: Application Icon
Name: Twitter

Question 3

Answer

Type: System Icon
Name: Recycle Bin

Question 4

Answer

Type: Application Icon
Name: Microsoft Word

Question 5

Answer

Type: Application Icon
Name: Facebook

Name the following

Question 1

Two types of booting

Answer

(a) Cold Booting
(b) Warm Booting

Question 2

Three types of windows

Answer

(a) Application Window
(b) Document Window
(c) Dialog Window

Question 3

Three system icons in Windows

Answer

(a) Computer
(b) Control Panel
(c) Recycle Bin

Question 4

Three modes of an operating system

Answer

(a) Single-User Single-Task
(b) Single-User Multi-Task
(c) Multi-User

Question 5

Three application icons in Windows

Answer

(a) MS Word
(b) QBasic
(c) Google Chrome

Question 6

Three MS-DOS files

Answer

(a) IO.SYS
(b) MS-DOS.SYS
(c) COMMAND.COM

Define the following terms

Question 1

Desktop

Answer

It is the display screen where icons appear and from where all the tasks of a computer system are performed. It is the first screen of Windows which is seen after the booting of a computer system.

Question 2

Title Bar

Answer

The topmost horizontal bar of any application or document window is called the title bar. It displays the name of the active document. The title bar of the active window is darker than the other parts of the window.

Question 3

Task Bar

Answer

The bar at the bottom of the desktop is known as the Task Bar. It contains the 'Start' button and the icons of the documents and programs which are running. It also displays the 'sound' option and the 'clock'.

Question 4

Application Window

Answer

It is the primary window of an application where a user can work. The window contains the Title Bar, the Ribbon work area and the Quick Access Tool Bar.

Question 5

Computer (icon)

Answer

Computer icon shows all of the contents of a computer system. When this icon is double-clicked, it displays a list of all the system icons on the left pane of the window. In the right pane it displays the details of the drives i.e. the number of drives, the storage capacity of each drive, removable storage (if any).

Differentiate between the following

Question 1

Cold Booting and Warm Booting

Answer

Question 2

Multiprogramming and Multiprocessing

Answer

Question 3

Character User Interface and Graphic User Interface

Answer

Answer the following questions

Question 1

What is an operating system? Give an example.

Answer

An operating system is an integrated set of programs that manages various resources and the overall operations of a computer system. It is designed to support the various activities of the computer system in a systematic way.

Question 2

Why do we need an operating system?

Answer

We need an operating system because it enables users' interaction with computer systems by acting as an interface between users or application programs and the computer hardware.

Question 3

Give the disadvantages of batch processing system.

Answer

Disadvantages of batch processing system are:

1. The system does not set any priority for the execution of the jobs.
2. Once the process begins, the execution of the jobs automatically takes place one after the other.
3. The CPU time and memory are underutilized.
4. It is time-consuming.

Question 4

What are the features of a single-user operating system?

Answer

A single-user operating system supports only one user at a time. It is categorised as:

1. Single-User, Single-Task
2. Single-User, Multi-tasking

Single-User, Single-Task operating system allows a single user to do one thing at a time. E.g. MS-DOS

Single-User, Multi-tasking operating system allows a single user to operate several programs at the same time.

Question 5

Define 'Recycle Bin'. What is its significance in a computer system?

Answer

Recycle Bin is a system icon in Windows. When we delete folders and files, they are not permanently deleted. Instead they are removed from their original location and stored in the Recycle Bin. This gives us an opportunity to recover files and folders that we deleted accidentally. This way, Recycle Bin plays a very important role in avoiding data loss. Its icon is represented as a trash can in Windows.

Question 6

What are the functions of an operating system? Explain.

Answer

The functions of an operating system are:

1. Booting the computer:
   It helps in starting-up the computer system and sets it up for the user to start using it.
2. Loading the programs in the memory:
   After the computer is booted, it loads a set of programs into the primary memory that are essential for the proper functioning of the computer system.
3. Managing Resources:
   It coordinates between the software and hardware in the computer system.
4. Detecting and correcting errors:
   If the supporting hardware or software does not work properly, then the operating system tries to rectify it and also guides the user to take necessary steps.
5. Ensuring data security:
   It keeps different programs and data in such a way that they don't interfere with each other.

Question 7

What is meant by 'Real Time Processing'? Give an example.

Answer

A system in which transaction access and updating of the file is done immediately, is called Real Time Processing. An example of Real Time Processing is updating the bank account of a customer.

Question 8

Multiprogramming is also known as multi-tasking. Explain.

Answer

Multiprogramming means executing more than one program. When one program is waiting for I/O transfer, another program is executed on the CPU. In this way, the computer is able to handle multiple tasks or programs simultaneously. Hence, multiprogramming is also known as multi-tasking.

Question 9

What are the advantages of 'Windows' as an operating system? Explain.

Answer

The advantages of 'Windows' as an operating system are:

1. It is comparatively easier to use.
2. We don't need any specialized computer education or training to use Windows.
3. Wide support for games. Almost all games run on Windows.
4. It can run on most of the processors.
5. The collection of software programs, utilities and games is relatively much larger for Windows.