Unit # 1: COMPUTER SYSTEMS

Exercise
Q1: Select the best answer for following MCQs
1 What is the binary representation of the decimal number 43 using 8-bit two’s
complement notation?
A 10101011 B 11010101 C 11010101 D 11101011
2 Which of the following binary numbers corresponds to the hexadecimal number 3FA7?
A 0011 1111 B 1100 0011 C 1011 1100 D 0111 1011
1010 0111 1101 1000 0011 0111 1011 1100
3 How does ASCII code for the character ‘Z’ (90 in decimal) look in binary?
A 01011010 B 01001110 C 01011000 D 01101001
4 In an 8-bit signed integer representation, what is the range of values that can be
represented?
A 127 to 128 B 128 to 127 C 0 to 255 D 256 to 255
5 How many different values can be represented with a 10-bit binary number?
A 256 B 1024 C 512 D 2048
6 Which of the following is NOT a task performed by an operating system?
A Process B Memory C Email D Device
Management Management Management Management
7 Which type of operating system allows multiple tasks to be performed at the same time?
A Multiprogramming B Batch processing C Real-time D Single tasking
8 Which state of a process represents that it is ready for execution but waiting for CPU time?
A Start state B Running state C Ready state D Blocked state
9 What is main purpose of a process scheduler?
A To manage file B To manage CPU C To manage D To manage
operations utilization memory network
allocation resources
10 Which memory management approach involves dividing memory into fixed sized blocks?
A Paging B Segmentation C Virtual memory D Contiguous
allocation
11 What is the main purpose of interrupts in an operating system?
A To speed up CPU B To slow down C To handle D To manage
processing CPU processing immediate network
events connections
12 Which scheduling algorithm assigns CPU time in fixed time slices to each process in a
cyclic order?
A First come first B Shortest Job C Priority D Round Robin
serve (FCFS) Next (SJN) Scheduling (RR)
13 Which memory management technique divides memory into fixed sized blocks?
A Segmentation B Paging C Fixed Partitioning D Dynamic
Partitioning
14 Which type of hosting involves installing and running software on servers located within an
organization’s physical premises?
A Shared Hosting B Dedicated C On-Premises D Cloud Hosting
Hosting Hosting
15 Which component of programming software translates code written in a high level
programming language into machine code?
A Text Editor B Compiler C Debugger D IDE

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Q2 Write answers of the following short response questions
1 What is the significance of Most Significance Bit (MSB) in signed binary numbers?
Ans The MSB in signed binary numbers is essential because it determines whether the number is
positive or negative, and in two's complement, it also carries a negative weight. Understanding
the MSB is key to interpreting and performing arithmetic on signed binary values correctly.
2 What is a binary digit, and why is it fundamental in computer systems?
Ans A binary digit (bit) is fundamental to computer systems because it aligns with the physical
operation of digital hardware and serves as the building block for all forms of data and computation.
Computers "think" in bits—every complex operation ultimately boils down to manipulating 0s and
1s
3 Why are binary numbers more efficient for computer calculations than decimal numbers?
Ans Binary numbers are more efficient for computers because they align with the two-state nature of
electronic circuits, support simpler and faster arithmetic and logic operations, and allow for
reliable storage and transmission of data. Trying to use decimal internally would dramatically
increase hardware complexity, cost, and power consumption
4 How do ASCII and Unicode differ in character representation?
Ans The key difference lies in the scope and capacity of character representation. ASCII is limited to a
small set of English characters and symbols, using a fixed number of bits. Unicode, on the other
hand, is designed to be a universal character encoding standard, capable of representing a vast
array of characters from different languages and scripts using variable-width encoding schemes.
Unicode has essentially superseded ASCII as the standard for text encoding in modern computing
due to its ability to handle global communication effectively
5 What is the importance of positional value in number systems? Give two examples?
Ans The importance of positional value in number systems is that the value of a digit depends on its
position within the number. The same digit can represent different magnitudes depending on
where it is placed. This concept allows us to represent a wide range of numbers using a limited set
of symbols and provides a systematic way to
perform arithmetic operations. For Example

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 6 What is the process to convert a binary number to its hexadecimal equivalent?
Ans To convert a binary number to hexadecimal, group the binary digits into sets of four (4 bits), starting
from the least significant bit (LSB). Then, convert each group of four binary digits into its equivalent
hexadecimal value.
Detailed Steps:
1. 1. Group the Binary Digits:
Split the binary number into groups of four digits (starting from the right). If the number of digits
is not a multiple of four, add leading zeros to the left until you have groups of four.
2. 2. Convert Each Group to Hexadecimal:
Refer to a conversion table (or memorize the values) to find the hexadecimal equivalent for each
group of four binary digits.
3. 3. Combine the Hexadecimal Digits:
Place the hexadecimal digit’s side-by-side to form the final hexadecimal number
7 What is the purpose of machine code in computer operations?
Ans Machine code, the most fundamental level of programming, acts as the direct communication
language between software and a computer's hardware, specifically the CPU. It's a binary
representation of instructions that the CPU understands and executes, enabling the computer to
perform tasks. Essentially, machine code translates high-level programming languages into
instructions the CPU can directly interpret and act upon
8 Why coding scheme is used in computer? Give three reasons?
Ans Coding schemes in computers are used for representing data, ensuring consistent interpretation
across different systems, and enabling efficient communication. Specifically, three reasons for their
use include:
1. 1. Standardization:
Coding schemes provide a standardized way to represent characters, numbers, and other data
types in a consistent manner, ensuring that computers understand the data in the same way,
regardless of the system or software.
2. 2. Interoperability:
They allow different computers and systems to exchange and interpret data correctly, enabling
seamless communication and data transfer between them.
3. 3. Efficiency:
Coding schemes, like ASCII, can be used to encode text and other data into compact formats,
which can lead to faster storage and transmission of information.
9 State five differences between a process and a thread
Ans Here are five key differences between a process and a thread:
1. 1. Resources and Memory:
Processes have their own independent memory space and resources, while threads within a
process share the same memory space and resources, including files and network connections.
2. 2. Creation and Management:
Processes are created and managed by the operating system, while threads are created and
managed within a process, and often by the program itself or a thread library.
3. 3. Scheduling:
Processes are typically scheduled by the operating system, whereas threads may be scheduled
by the operating system or by the program itself (user-level threads).
4. 4. Communication:

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 Processes communicate with each other through inter-process communication (IPC)
mechanisms, while threads within a process can communicate directly with each other, usually
through shared memory or other synchronization mechanisms.
5. 5. Overhead:
Creating and managing processes generally involves more overhead than creating and managing
threads, as processes have more associated state and resources
10 What is memory management and how does it work in an operating system?
Ans Memory management in an operating system (OS) refers to the process of controlling and
coordinating the computer's primary memory (RAM) to ensure efficient and secure execution of
programs. It involves allocating, tracking, and deallocating memory space for various processes
and applications. This is crucial because memory is a limited resource, and the OS needs to
manage it effectively to prevent conflicts, ensure system stability, and optimize performance
11 What is real time operating system and where is it commonly used?
Ans A Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) is a specialized operating system designed for embedded
systems that require tasks to be completed within precise time constraints. It prioritizes tasks based
on deadlines, ensuring critical operations are executed promptly and predictably. RTOS are
commonly used in applications where timing accuracy is crucial, such as industrial automation,
automotive systems, medical devices, and aerospace.
12 Differentiate between multiprogramming and multitasking operating systems
Ans Multiprogramming and multitasking are related concepts in operating systems, but they differ in
their focus. Multiprogramming aims to optimize CPU utilization by having multiple programs ready
for execution and switching between them when necessary. Multitasking, on the other hand,
emphasizes allowing multiple tasks (or processes) to appear to run simultaneously, providing a
more responsive user experience
13 List two pros and two cons of on-premises hosting
Ans On-premises hosting offers increased control and potential cost savings, but it also requires
significant upfront investment and ongoing management.
Pros:
 Control and Compliance:
On-premises hosting allows businesses to maintain full control over their data and infrastructure,
which can be crucial for industries with strict compliance requirements like healthcare or
finance. This control also allows for greater customization and tailoring of the system to specific
business needs.
 Potential for Lower Costs:
While initial setup costs can be high, on-premises hosting can offer lower operational costs in the
long run, especially for large companies with existing IT expertise and infrastructure.
Cons:
 High Initial Investment:
Setting up an on-premises infrastructure requires a significant upfront investment in hardware,
software, and IT staff, which can be a barrier for some businesses.
 Ongoing Management and Maintenance:
On-premises systems require ongoing maintenance, updates, and support, which can be a
resource-intensive process and require skilled IT personnel

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14 What is an application patch? Give key functions of it
Ans An application patch is a software update released by developers to fix issues, improve
performance, or add minor features to an existing application. It's usually a small file or package
applied to the software to modify or replace specific parts of the program code
15 Differentiate between offline and online applications. Give one example of each?
Ans Offline applications, like games or photo editing apps, run without needing an internet connection,
storing data locally. Online applications, like Google Docs or Spotify, require a network to access
data and services. An example of an offline application is a game like "Tetris" that can be played
without an internet connection. An example of an online application is "Spotify", which requires an
internet connection to stream music

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Q3 Write answers of the following extended response questions
1 Explain decimal, binary, octal and hexadecimal number systems with examples
Ans
2 What is 2’s complement, and why it is used? Give examples
Ans
3 Define the term overflow and underflow. Explain overflow in number system with one
example
Ans
4 What is the significance of ASCII and Unicode character coding system?
Ans
5 What is an operating system? Explain any five tasks/ functions of OS
Ans
6 Explain any four types of operating systems
Ans
7 How operating system manages applications? Explain the states of a process with
diagram?
Ans
8 Explain the role of integrated Development Environments (IDEs) in the software
development process, including specific features that enhance programming efficiency
Ans
9 What is software hosting? Explain On-premises and Cloud hosting. Also give two pros
and cons of each.
Ans

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