Explain the concept of threads within traditional, heavyweight processes and the impact on resource management.

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Анна Некрасова
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1.
FLASHCARD QUESTION
Front
Back
Threads are lightweight units of execution within a traditional, heavyweight process. While traditional processes (also called heavyweight) have their own memory space and resources, threads within the same process share the same address space, open files, and global data but have separate stacks and registers. This shared environment allows for efficient communication and faster context switching compared to full processes, reducing the overhead of resource management. As a result, threads improve responsiveness and scalability in applications, especially on multicore systems, by allowing multiple tasks to run concurrently within a single process.
2.
FLASHCARD QUESTION
Front
Discuss the fundamental reason RAID is used in storage solutions, including how it enhances data reliability and performance.
Back
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) is used in storage solutions to improve both data reliability and performance by combining multiple physical disks into one logical unit. The fundamental reason for using RAID is to provide fault tolerance—if one disk fails, data is not lost thanks to redundancy techniques such as mirroring or parity. Additionally, RAID can boost performance by distributing read/write operations across multiple disks, allowing parallel access. Different RAID levels (e.g., RAID 0, 1, 5, 10) offer varying trade-offs between speed, redundancy, and storage efficiency depending on system needs.
3.
FLASHCARD QUESTION
Front
· What is the common name used to refer to the operating system program and why is it referred to as such?
Back
The common name used to refer to the operating system program is the kernel. It is called the kernel because it is the core component of the operating system that has full control over the system's hardware and manages crucial tasks like memory, processes, and device communication. Just like the kernel of a seed is at its center, the OS kernel is at the center of all system operations, acting as a bridge between hardware and software.
4.
FLASHCARD QUESTION
Front
· List three different ways for structuring an operating system and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each structure.
Back
Monolithic Structure: In a monolithic OS, all components (file system, process management, device drivers, etc.) run in kernel mode as one large program. Advantages: High performance due to minimal overhead and direct access to system resources. Disadvantages: Poor modularity, difficult to debug and maintain, and a bug in one component can crash the entire system. Examples: MS-DOS, early UNIX.
Layered Structure: This structure organizes the OS into layers, each built on top of the lower one, starting from hardware at the bottom to the user interface at the top. Advantages: Clear separation of concerns, easier to design and debug, each layer interacts only with the one below it. Disadvantages: Can be inefficient due to overhead between layers; changes in lower layers may require redesigning upper ones. Examples: THE system (by Dijkstra), early UNIX modifications.
Microkernel Structure: Only the most essential functions (e.g., inter-process communication and basic scheduling) reside in the kernel, while others like device drivers and file systems run in user space. Advantages: Improved reliability and security, as most services run independently in user mode; easier to modify and extend. Disadvantages: Lower performance due to more context switching and communication between kernel and services. Examples: MINIX, QNX, modern versions of macOS (based on XNU).
5.
FLASHCARD QUESTION
Front
· Provide at least two advantages of multiprocessor systems and explain how they contribute to enhanced computing performance.
Back
Multiprocessor systems offer several advantages, two of the most significant being increased throughput and enhanced reliability.
First, with multiple processors working in parallel, the system can execute more processes simultaneously, significantly improving overall throughput and reducing response time for users.
Second, reliability is improved because if one processor fails, the others can continue to operate, allowing the system to maintain partial functionality instead of crashing entirely.
Together, these benefits contribute to better scalability, faster processing, and greater fault tolerance, making multiprocessor systems ideal for high-performance computing environments.
6.
FLASHCARD QUESTION
Front
· Describe three strategies for selecting a free hole from the set of available holes in memory management and their impact on system efficiency.
Back
In memory management, when using dynamic partitioning, the system must select a suitable free hole (block of memory) to allocate to a process. Three common strategies are:
1. First-Fit: The system allocates the first hole that is large enough.
Impact: Fast and simple, but may lead to many small leftover holes at the beginning of memory (external fragmentation).
2. Best-Fit: The system searches for the smallest hole that is large enough.
Impact: Reduces wasted space, but tends to leave many very small unusable holes; slower than first-fit due to full search.
3. Worst-Fit: The system selects the largest available hole.
Impact: Leaves large leftover holes, hoping they are more useful later, but often leads to inefficient use of memory and fragmentation.
Each strategy impacts system efficiency differently in terms of fragmentation, search time, and memory utilization.
7.
FLASHCARD QUESTION
Front
· Define an interrupt and explain its essential role in handling system requests.
Back
An interrupt is a signal sent to the CPU by hardware or software to indicate that an event needs immediate attention. It temporarily halts the current execution so the processor can address the incoming request, such as I/O completion, a timer signal, or an error. Interrupts play a crucial role in efficient system operation by allowing the CPU to respond to asynchronous events without constantly checking device statuses (polling). This enables better multitasking, resource utilization, and responsiveness in modern operating systems.
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