Operating System Structures

Flashcards covering essential concepts from Chapter 2 on Operating System Structures.

Operating System Services

Functions provided by an operating system to help users and programs.

User Interface (UI)

The means by which users interact with a computer, can be Command-Line (CLI) or Graphical User Interface (GUI).

System Calls

Programming interface to the services provided by the OS, often accessed via high-level Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).

Types of System Calls

Various functions like process control, file management, device management, information maintenance, communications, and protection.

Resource Allocation

The process by which CPU cycles, main memory, file storage, and I/O devices are assigned to various tasks running concurrently.

Error Detection

The capability of the OS to identify and manage errors that occur in hardware or user programs.

File-System Manipulation

Services that allow programs to read, write, create, delete, and manage files and directories.

Microkernel

An OS architecture where minimal functionality is included in the kernel and essential services run in user space.

Bootstrapping

The process of loading the operating system into memory when the system is powered on.

DTrace

A performance and debugging tool that allows dynamic tracing of the operating system to monitor system behavior.

Hybrid Systems

Operating systems that integrate multiple architectural approaches to meet varying performance and usability requirements.

System Programs

Programs that provide a convenient environment for program development and execution, offering functions like file manipulation and programming language support.

Protection and Security

Mechanisms implemented in the OS to control access to resources and ensure the safety of user information.

Parameters in System Calls

Information passed to the OS during system calls, which can be done via registers, memory blocks, or stack methods.

Process Control

System calls that manage the execution of processes, including creating, terminating, and synchronizing them.

System Generation (SYSGEN)

The process of configuring an operating system to run on specific hardware.