CSCI 3323 (Principles of Operating Systems), Fall 2020:
Reading Quiz 1

Credit:

10 points.

Reading

Be sure you have read, or at least skimmed, the assigned sections of Chapter 1.

Instructions

Answer the questions below using only the course textbook (i.e., no Web searches). Please work independently rather than in groups, and include the Honor Code pledge in what you turn in, either the full pledge or just the word “pledged”.

You may write out your answers by hand and scan them, or you may use a word processor or other program, but please submit a PDF or plain text via e-mail to my TMail address. (No links to shared files on Google Drive please.) Please use a subject line that mentions the course and the assignment (e.g., “csci 3323 quiz 1” or “O/S quiz 1”).

Questions

1. (2 points) Most current operating systems allow users to have more than one application open at the same time. Where did this idea originate and about when? (For “when” you can reference one of the date ranges in the subsection headers of section 1.2.)

2. (2 points) Why do most processors include registers?

3. (2 points) What is an embedded system?

4. (2 points) What is the name of the UNIX system call used to create a new process?

5. (2 points) Virtual machines have become popular in recent years. Where and about when did they first make their appearance?