Pakistan School, Ministry of Education, Kingdom of Bahrain

ONLINE GUDIANCE AND SUPPORT FOR HSSC-II

Ch 1: Operating System
OPERATING SYSTEM FUNCTIONS

Q: List functions of Operating System.

Ans: The following are the functions performed by operating system.

i. Process Management
ii. Memory Management
iii. File Management
iv. I/O Management
v. Secondary Storage Management
vi. Network Management
vii. Protection System
viii. Command-interpreter

Q: Describe functions of Operating System in Detail.

Ans:

i. Process Management: A process is a program in execution. Process management is the part

of operating system that manages allocation of computer resources (like CPU time) to
various processes in main memory. Process management actually describes the state and
resource ownership of each process.
Example: In this example there are 3 processes X, Y and Z ready for execution. The OS will
manage the CPU time as follows.
Process A has CPU cycle (ta = 5 milli sec)
Process B has CPU cycle (tb = 2 milli sec)
Process C has CPU cycle (tc = 1 milli sec)
Case 1: When the 3 processes become ready in the order of XYZ, the total execution time
will be: τ = (5 + 7 + 8)/3 = 6.67 milli sec
Case 2: When the 3 processes become ready in the order of YZX, the total execution time
will be: τ = (2 + 3 + 8)/3 = 4.33 milli sec
In Case2, the OS is managing the processes more efficiently. The execution time in Case 2 is
less as compare to Case 1.
ii. Memory Management : It controls and manages the operation of main memory during the
operation of computer. It allocates space to programs which are loaded in main memory for
execution. It keeps track of free memory when a program is closed and updates the memory
status.

iii. File Management : OS manages files and folders on storage devices eg hard disk, USB flash
drive and DVD. It allows computer user to perform operations such as creating, copying,
 moving, renaming, deleting, and searching files and folders. It also allows the user to
perform read, write, open and close operations upon files and folders.

iv. I/O Management: I/O management is the part of operating system that controls all the
input & output operations during program execution. It manages all the input/output
operations of input/output and storage devices. Efficient I/O management improves the
performance of computer.

v. Secondary Storage Management: OS manages free space and storage allocation of user
programs and data on secondary storage devices.

Eg: Program ‘A’ is ready to be stored in Harddisk. Now OS will look for any free space in the
Hard disk and assign proper address to it. If space is not available, OS will prompt the user to
empty some space.

vi. Network Management: Network management is the part of network operating system that
monitors and manages the resources of a network. It creates user groups and assigns
privileges to them. It shares the network resources among users and detects and fixes
network problems.
vii. Protection System: It ensures that each resource of computer is used according to the
privileges given to users by the system administrator. It creates account for each user and
gives privileges to prevent misuse of the system eg provides user name & password to
maintain network security.
viii. Command-Interpreter : It provides interface between user and the computer system. It is a
file in operating system that reads and executes user commands entered as text through
keyboard.
For example, Windows operating system uses the cmd.exe file as command-interpreter.

PROCESS MANAGEMENT
Q23: Define process management.

Ans: Process management is an important task of operating system. It allocates systems resources to
various processes so that they can run efficiently.

Q24: Define process. Also give example.

Ans: A process is a program in execution.

Process is a part of program under execution that is scheduled and controlled by operating system.
When a program is loaded in memory for execution, it becomes a process.

A program is an executable code that is stored in disk as a text file whereas a process is a dynamic
instance of a program during its execution in RAM.

It represents basic unit of work. It uses various resources of computer such as CPU time, files, I/O
devices, memory, etc.
 For example, when we write a program in C or C++ and compile it, the compiler creates a binary code.
The original code and Binary code, both are programs. When we actually run the binary code, it
becomes a process.

Q: Describe briefly five states of a process.

Five states of a process are: new, ready, running, waiting and terminated.

i. New State: This is the first state of a process when it is created. Any new operation or service that is
requested by a program for execution by the processor is known as new state of process.
ii. Ready State: A process is said to be in ready state when it is ready for execution but it is waiting to
be assigned to the processor by the operating system.
iii. Running State: A process is said to be in running state when it is being executed by the processor. A
process is assigned to a processor for execution by operating system.
iv. Blocked State/Waiting State: A process is in blocked or waiting state when it is not under
execution. It is waiting for a resource to become available.
v. Terminated State: A process is in terminated state when it completes its execution.

Q: Define process & thread

Ans: In programming, there are two basic units of execution: processes and threads. They both execute
a series of instructions. A Process is an instance of a program that is being executed. A process may be
made up of multiple threads. A Thread is a basic ordered sequence of instructions within a process that
can be executed independently. The threads are made of a Process & exist within a process; every
process has at least one thread. Multiple threads can also exist in a process and share resources.

• The process of executing multiple threads simultaneously is known as multithreading.

• Multithreading is an execution method of a program that allows a single process to run multiple
threads at the same time.

• Multithreading allows multiple threads to exist within a single process and these
threads can execute independently.

• The main purpose of multithreading is to provide simultaneous execution of two

or more parts of a program to maximum utilize the CPU time.

EXAMPLES: A user is typing a paragraph on MS word. But in background one more thread is running

and checking the spelling mistakes. As soon as user is doing a typing work the other thread notifies the
user about the spelling mistakes.
Q: Choose the Correct answer

i. _______ allocates systems resources to various processes so that they can run efficiently.

a) Process b) Process Management

c) System d) None of these

ii. Process is a part of program under execution that is scheduled and controlled by operating
system.
a) Process b) Process Management
c) System d) None of these

iii. Any new operation or service that is requested by a program for execution by the processor is
known as ______ state of process.
a) Block b) Running
c) New d) Ready

iv. When process is ready for execution but it is waiting to be assigned to the processor by the
operating system is said to be in ______ state
a) Block b) Running
c) New d) Ready
v. When a process is assigned to a processor for execution by operating system, it is said to be in
_______ state.
a) Block b) Running
c) New d) Ready
vi. When process is not under execution, It is waiting for a resource to become available called
_______ state of process
a) Block b) Running
c) New d) Ready
vi. ________ is a subset of the process
a) Process b) Process Management
c) Sub-System d) Thread
vii. The process of executing multiple threads simultaneously is known as
a) Process b) Multiprocessing
c) Multithreading d) Thread
viii. Loading multiple (programs, processes, tasks, threads) in main memory and executes them at
the same time by rapidly switching the CPU among them.
a) Multitasking b) Multiprocessing
c) Multithreading d) Multiprogramming
ix. In ______________many programs are loaded in memory but the CPU only executes one
program at a time
a) Multitasking b) Multiprocessing
c) Multithreading d) Multiprogramming
x. ____________the ability of an operating system to execute more than one process
simultaneously on a multi-processor machine (having more than one CPUs).
a) Multitasking b) Multiprocessing
c) Multithreading d) Multiprogramming
 Pakistan School, Ministry of Education, Kingdom of Bahrain
ONLINE GUDIANCE AND SUPPORT FOR HSSC-II

Ch 2: System Development Life Cycle (SDLC)

Q: What is meant by system development life cycle?.

Ans: The Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), in Software Engineering, is the process of creating or
altering information systems. In other words these are the models and methodologies that experts use
to develop these systems. Software engineering is an engineering approach for software development.
In software engineering the SDLC concept reinforces many kinds of software development techniques.
These techniques form the framework for planning and controlling the creation of an information
system.

Q: Define system

Ans: A system is a set of components (hardware and software) for collecting, creating, storing,
processing, and distributing information.

Q: What is importance of system development life cycle?.

Ans: System developing life cycle (SDLC) is a problem-solving process through which a series of steps or
phases helps to produce a new computer system.

Importance of System Development Life Cycle

• The basic purpose is to develop a system in a systematic way in the perfect manner.

• It delivers quality software which meet the system requirements.

• It ensures that the requirements for the development of the software system

 are well defined and subsequently satisfied.

• It delivers cost-effective system.

• It maximizes the productivity.

Q : List three primary Objectives of SDLC

Ans: A systems development lifecycle (SDLC) has three primary objectives:

i. Ensure that high quality systems are delivered

ii. Provide strong management controls over the projects

iii. Maximize the productivity

Q: What is meant by Stakeholders of SDLC

Ans : Stakeholders of SDLC are those entities or groups which are either within the organization or
outside of the organization that sponsor, plan, develop or use a project. Stakeholders may be:

i. users

ii. managers

iii. developers

Q: List phases of SDLC

Ans:

i. Defining Problem

ii. Planning

iii. Feasibility Study

iv. Analysis

v. Requirement Engineering

vi. Design

vii. Coding

viii. Testing / Verification

ix. Deployment / Implementation

x. Maintenance / Support
Q: Describe Defining stage of SDLC

Ans: In this phase the problem to be solved or system to be developed is clearly defined.

 All the requirements are documented and approved from the customer or the company
which consists of all the product requirements to be designed and developed during the
development life cycle.

Example: Students’ Examination Development System

Defining the problem: A Students’ Examination developed System that covers all the aspects from
Examination taking to the Students’ results generation

Q: Describe planning phase of SDLC

Ans: During the planning phase,

• the objective of the project is determined

• the requirements to produce the product are considered.

• An estimate of resources, such as personnel and costs, is prepared, along with a concept for
the new product.

• All of the information is analyzed to see if there is an alternative solution to creating a new
product. If there is no other viable alternative, the information is assembled into a project
plan and presented to management for approval.
Example: In the Students’ Examination System Development project planning will be made to set the
ultimate goals and an estimate of resources, such as personnel and costs, is prepared.

Q: Describe Feasibility phase of SDLC. Also list types of feasibility.

Ans: Feasibility study is used to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a proposd software/system and
present directions of activities which will improve a project and achieve desired results. The nature and
components of feasibility studies depend primarily on the areas in which analyzed projects are
implemented.

• Feasibility study is the analysis and evaluation of a proposed project/system, to determine,

whether it is technically, financially/economically, legally and operationally feasible within the
estimated cost and time. Feasibility study is one of the important steps in SDLC. It is divided into
the following types/forms.

i. Technical feasibility

ii. Economic feasibility

iii. Operational feasibility

iv. Legal feasibility

v. Schedule feasibility

Example: The Students’ Examination project access Development for all types of feasibilities and
presented to management for final approval.

Q: Describe Analysis phase of SDLC.

Ans: During the analysis phase the project team determines the end-user requirements.

Often this is done with the assistance of client focus groups, which provide an explanation of their needs
and what their expectations are for the new system and how it will perform.

• In this phase, the in-charge of the project team must decide whether the project should go
ahead with the available resources or not.

The project team asks the following questions during the analysis.

i. Can the proposed software system be developed with the available resources and
budget?

ii. Will this system significantly improve the organization?

iii. Does the existing system even need to be replaced etc.?

Example: The Students’ Examination System project is analyzed for development. The project team will
visit the School to study the existing system and will suggest the possible improvements.
Q: QUIZ - Choose the correct choice

i. The first step in the system development life cycle is:

a) Analysis b) Design c) Problem Identification d) Development and Documentation

ii. The organized process or set of steps that needs to be followed to develop an information
system is known as:

a) Analytical cycle b) Design cycle

c) Program specifications d) System development life cycle

iii. Enhancements, upgradation and bugs fixation are done during the ______________ step in the
SDLC.

a) Maintenance and Evaluation b) Problem Identification

c) Design d) Development and Documentation