UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS: 2018/2019
EXAMINATION FOR THE DIPLOMA IN INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
DIT301 OPERATING SYSTEMS
DATE: AUGUST 2019 TIME: 2 HOURS
INSTRUCTIONS: Answer Question One & ANY OTHER TWO questions.
QUESTION ONE
a) The operating system acts as a bridge between the application software and hardware. With
the help of a well labelled diagram explain the operating systems architecture. [4 Marks]
b) With the help of a well labelled diagram explain the FIVE state process model. [5 Marks]
c) List and explain the factors used when selecting an operating system. [6 Marks]
d) Kenneth is not an experienced computer user. He intends to buy an operating system.
Advise him on the type of user interface he should choose and the reason for your choice.
[4 Marks]
e) Briefly explain SIX functions of the operating system. [6 Marks]
f) Explain FIVE characteristics of your preferred operating system. [5 Marks]
QUESTION TWO
a) Explain the following memory allocation schemes.
i. Segmentation. [2 Marks]
ii. Swapping [2 Marks]
b) Explain FOUR file access methods. [4 Marks]
c) Define the following terms as used in operating systems:
i. Semaphores. [2 Marks]
ii. Monitors. [2 Marks]
iii. Polling [2 Marks]
iv. Buffer [2 Marks]
d) You have walked into a computer shop with the intention of buying an operating system.
List down the examples you would choose from. [4 Marks]
QUESTION THREE
a) Explain the following file access rights:
i. None [2 Marks]
ii. Knowledge [2 Marks]
iii. Append [2 Marks]
iv. Execution [2 Marks]
v. write [2 Marks]
b) Explain the following operating systems environments.
i. Multiprogramming. [4 Marks]
ii. Multiprocessing [4 Marks]
c) Define the term operating system. [2 Marks]
QUESTION FOUR
a) Write short notes on the following process scheduling algorithms:
i. FCFS. [2 Marks]
ii. SJF. [2 Marks]
iii. Priority scheduling. [2 Marks]
iv. Round robin. [2 Marks]
b) List and explain the FOUR Coffman conditions that must be present for a deadlock to
occur. [8 Marks]
c) Define computer hardware. And explain TWO hardware categories giving examples of
each. [4 Marks]
QUESTION FIVE
a) Define the term utility program and list and explain FOUR utility programs. [5 Marks]
b) Explain four components of a process. [4 Marks]
c) Briefly describe four types of operating systems. [4 Marks]
d) State four objectives of the Input/output device manager. [4 Marks]
e) Differentiate pre-emptive and non –preemptive scheduling techniques. [4 Marks]
f) List down two examples of application software. [1 Mark]
