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Operating System Articles
Page 152 of 171
What is the purpose of the command interpreter?
A command interpreter allows the user to interact with a program using commands in the form of text lines. It was frequently used until the 1970’s. However, in modern times many command interpreters are replaced by graphical user interfaces and menu-driven interfaces.Purpose of Command InterpretersCommand interpreters serve many purposes and are more useful than graphical user interfaces in some cases. Details about these cases are given as follows −Command interpreters have a large range of commands and queries available for different operations. Also, it is much faster to type than to click as is done using graphical user interfaces..There are ...
Read MoreLoading and Removing Kernel Module
The Linux kernel modules can be loaded or removed from the kernel as required. This can be done without recompiling the kernel or rebooting the system and it enhances the functionality of the system.Without the kernel modules, the operating system would have to include all the systems that provide all anticipated functionalities in the base kernel. This would lead to wastage of memory as most of those systems would not be used often. Also, the users would need to rebuild and reboot the base kernel every time they would require a new functionality.The kernel modules have a .ko extension and ...
Read MoreWhat is a bootstrap program?
A bootstrap program is the first code that is executed when the computer system is started. The entire operating system depends on the bootstrap program to work correctly as it loads the operating system.A figure that demonstrates the use of the bootstrap program is as follows −In the above image, the bootstrap program is a part of ROM which is the non-volatile memory. The operating system is loaded into the RAM by the bootstrap program after the start of the computer system. Then the operating system starts the device drivers.Bootstrapping ProcessThe bootstrapping process does not require any outside input to ...
Read MoreAdvantages of using Loadable Kernel Modules
Loadable kernel modules in an operating system is an object file that contains code to extend the running kernel, which is also known as the base kernel. The loadable kernel modules are used to add support for file systems, hardware, system calls etc.A figure that shows the loadable modules of the operating system is as follows −Advantage of Loadable Kernel ModulesAn operating system would have to include all the systems that provided all anticipated functionalities in the base kernel if there were no loadable modules. This would lead to wastage of memory as most of those systems would not be ...
Read MoreHow does System Boot work?
The BIOS, operating system and hardware components of a computer system should all be working correctly for it to boot. If any of these elements fail, it leads to a failed boot sequence.System Boot ProcessThe following diagram demonstrates the steps involved in a system boot process −Here are the steps −The CPU initializes itself after the power in the computer is first turned on. This is done by triggering a series of clock ticks that are generated by the system clock.After this, the CPU looks for the system’s ROM BIOS to obtain the first instruction in the start-up program. This ...
Read MoreOperating System Debugging
Debugging is the process of finding the problems in a computer system and solving them. There are many different ways in which operating systems perform debugging. Some of these are −Log FilesThe log files record all the events that occur in an operating system. This is done by writing all the messages into a log file. There are different types of log files. Some of these are given as follows −Event LogsThese stores the records of all the events that occur in the execution of a system. This is done so that the activities of all the events can be ...
Read MoreSystem Calls in Unix and Windows
The interface between a process and an operating system is provided by system calls. In general, system calls are available as assembly language instructions. They are also included in the manuals used by the assembly level programmers.Unix System CallsSystem calls in Unix are used for file system control, process control, interprocess communication etc. Access to the Unix kernel is only available through these system calls. Generally, system calls are similar to function calls, the only difference is that they remove the control from the user process.There are around 80 system calls in the Unix interface currently. Details about some of ...
Read MoreSolaris OS Loadable Modules
Solaris is a Unix based operating system that was developed by Sun Microsystems and after its acquisition by Oracle it is known as Oracle Solaris. It is known for its scalability and its innovative features such as DTrace, ZFS, Time Slider etc.Solaris KernelThe kernel is the core of the operating system as its main function is to manage the hardware by allocating resources appropriately. Solaris is a microkernel design and it is not possible to create a monolithic Solaris kernel.Booting the kernel from a local disk in Solaris can be done using the following steps −Loading the bootblockReading and loading ...
Read MoreHow are iOS and Android similar? How are they different?
iOSThe iOS is the operating system created by Apple Inc. for mobile devices. The iOS is used in many of the mobile devices for Apple such as iPhone, iPod, iPad etc. The iOS is used a lot and only lags behind Android in terms of popularity.The iOS architecture is layered. It contains an intermediate layer between the applications and the hardware so they do not communicate directly. The lower layers in iOS provide the basic services and the higher layers provide the user interface and sophisticated graphics.The layered architecture of iOS is given as follows −AndroidAndroid is an operating system ...
Read MoreWhat is the purpose of System Programs?
System programs provide an environment where programs can be developed and executed. In the simplest sense, system programs also provide a bridge between the user interface and system calls. In reality, they are much more complex. For example, a compiler is a complex system program.System Programs PurposeThe system program serves as a part of the operating system. It traditionally lies between the user interface and the system calls. The user view of the system is actually defined by system programs and not system calls because that is what they interact with and system programs are closer to the user interface.An ...
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