Process Concepts in Operating Systems: Interactive Learning Quizzes

Question 1

Which scheduling algorithm gives priority to processes with shorter CPU burst times?

Accepted Answer

Shortest Job First (SJF)

Answer

First-Come First-Served (FCFS)

Answer

Round Robin

Question 2

What is the name of the data structure that stores the essential information about a process in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Process Control Block

Answer

Process Table

Answer

Process Descriptor

Answer

Thread Table

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of a scheduler in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To determine which process should run next and for how long.

Answer

To create and terminate processes.

Answer

To manage memory allocation.

Answer

To handle input and output operations.

Question 4

How do processes differ from threads?

Accepted Answer

A process consists of one or more threads, while a thread is a subset of a process with its own execution context.

Answer

A thread consists of one or more processes, while a process is a subset of a thread with its own execution context.

Answer

There is no difference between a process and a thread.

Answer

A thread is a type of process that runs in kernel mode.

Question 5

Which scheduling algorithm is designed to prioritize shorter processes?

Accepted Answer

Shortest-job-first (SJF)

Answer

First-come, first-served (FCFS)

Answer

Round-robin (RR)

Answer

Priority scheduling

Question 6

What is the primary goal of process isolation in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To prevent processes from interfering with each other's resources.

Answer

To protect the operating system from malicious processes.

Answer

To provide better performance for individual processes.

Answer

To enhance system security.

Question 7

What is a key advantage of multitasking in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Increased system utilization and efficiency.

Answer

Reduced memory requirements.

Answer

Improved user experience.

Answer

Enhanced security.

Question 8

What is the primary responsibility of an operating system in managing processes?

Accepted Answer

Creating, scheduling, and terminating processes.

Answer

Providing resources to processes.

Answer

Handling input and output operations.

Answer

Monitoring and managing user accounts.

Question 9

Which advantage do semaphores offer over mutexes for process synchronization?

Accepted Answer

Concurrent access to shared resources by multiple processes

Answer

Superior efficiency in all situations

Answer

Simpler implementation

Answer

Prevention of deadlocks

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a state of a process in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Terminated

Answer

Running

Answer

Waiting

Answer

Blocked

Question 11

Which system call is used to create a new process in the Linux operating system?

Accepted Answer

fork()

Answer

exec()

Answer

createProcess()

Answer

getProcess()

Question 12

What is the primary purpose of a context switch in a multitasking operating system?

Accepted Answer

To load the state of the next process to be executed

Answer

To save the current state of a process

Answer

To suspend the execution of a process

Answer

To terminate a process

Question 13

What is the primary goal of process synchronization in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To ensure that multiple processes safely access shared resources

Answer

To prioritize processes based on their importance

Answer

To terminate processes that are no longer needed

Answer

To create new processes

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT a valid state of a process in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Sleeping

Answer

Running

Answer

Waiting

Answer

Blocked

Question 15

What is the purpose of the process control block (PCB)?

Accepted Answer

To store information about a process, such as its state, memory usage, and resource allocation

Answer

To allocate memory to a process

Answer

To schedule processes

Answer

To manage input and output operations

Question 16

Which of the following scheduling algorithms ensures that all processes get an equal share of the CPU?

Accepted Answer

Round-robin scheduling

Answer

Priority scheduling

Answer

First-come, first-served scheduling

Answer

Shortest job first scheduling

Question 17

What happens when a process transitions to the blocked state?

Accepted Answer

It is waiting for an event to occur, such as the availability of a resource

Answer

It has completed execution

Answer

It has been terminated

Answer

It is running on the CPU

Question 18

What is the primary function of a CPU scheduler?

Accepted Answer

To manage the allocation of the CPU to processes or threads in a fair and efficient manner

Answer

To create and terminate processes

Answer

To allocate memory to processes

Answer

To schedule input and output operations

Question 19

A process is waiting for an I/O device and is therefore in which state?

Accepted Answer

Blocked

Answer

Running

Answer

Ready

Answer

Terminated

Question 20

Which data structure stores information about a process, including its state, memory usage, and other attributes?

Accepted Answer

Process Control Block (PCB)

Answer

Thread

Answer

Stack

Answer

Queue

Question 21

What is the key difference between a system call and a library function?

Accepted Answer

System calls are executed in kernel mode, while library functions are executed in user mode.

Answer

System calls are more efficient.

Answer

Library functions require more parameters.

Answer

Library functions are executed in kernel mode, while system calls are executed in user mode.

Question 22

What is the primary purpose of a semaphore in operating systems?

Accepted Answer

To synchronize access to shared resources and prevent race conditions

Answer

To prevent deadlocks

Answer

To schedule processes

Answer

To manage memory

Question 23

Which of the following is not a core responsibility of an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Application development

Answer

Process management

Answer

Memory management

Answer

File system management

Question 24

Which sequence correctly represents the stages of a process lifecycle?

Accepted Answer

New -> Running -> Waiting -> Terminated

Answer

Terminated -> Waiting -> Running -> New

Answer

Waiting -> New -> Running -> Terminated

Answer

Running -> Terminated -> Waiting -> New

Question 25

In process management, what is the primary responsibility of the scheduler?

Accepted Answer

Allocating CPU time to processes

Answer

Creating new processes

Answer

Managing memory for processes

Answer

Terminating processes

Question 26

Which of the following is not a valid type of process priority?

Accepted Answer

None

Answer

High

Answer

Low

Answer

Moderate

Question 27

What is the primary purpose of a context switch in multitasking?

Accepted Answer

To save the state of one process and load another

Answer

To create a new process

Answer

To terminate a process

Answer

To allocate memory for a process

Question 28

Which scheduling algorithm is commonly used in real-time systems due to its deterministic nature?

Accepted Answer

Priority-based

Answer

First-come, first-served

Answer

Shortest job first

Answer

Round-robin

Question 29

What is the primary function of a semaphore in the context of process synchronization?

Accepted Answer

To prevent multiple processes from accessing a shared resource simultaneously

Answer

To allocate memory to processes

Answer

To schedule processes for execution

Answer

To terminate processes

Question 30

Which benefit is primarily achieved by implementing a virtual memory system?

Accepted Answer

Increased address space for processes

Answer

Improved performance by reducing page faults

Answer

Reduced memory usage

Answer

Easier to implement than physical memory

Question 31

What is the key difference between a process and a thread?

Accepted Answer

A process is an instance of a running program, while a thread is a unit of execution within a process.

Answer

A thread is an instance of a running program, while a process is a unit of execution within a thread.

Answer

Processes are independent of each other, while threads share the same resources.

Answer

Threads are independent of each other, while processes share the same resources.

Question 32

Which of the following is NOT a function of an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Application development

Answer

Process management

Answer

Memory management

Answer

File management

Question 33

What is the key difference between a monolithic kernel and a microkernel?

Accepted Answer

A monolithic kernel provides all system services, while a microkernel only provides essential services.

Answer

A monolithic kernel is a single, large module, while a microkernel is a small, modular kernel.

Answer

A microkernel is a single, large module, while a monolithic kernel is a small, modular kernel.

Answer

A microkernel provides all system services, while a monolithic kernel only provides essential services.

Question 34

What is the fundamental purpose of inter-process communication (IPC)?

Accepted Answer

To enable processes to exchange data and resources

Answer

To synchronize processes for orderly execution

Answer

To protect processes from malicious interference

Answer

To terminate processes that have outlived their purpose

Question 35

Define a deadlock.

Accepted Answer

A scenario where multiple processes indefinitely wait for each other to release held resources

Answer

A scenario where a process enters an infinite loop

Answer

A scenario where a process abruptly terminates

Answer

A scenario where a process successfully concludes execution

Question 36

What is the main reason for using a thread pool in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To optimize system performance by controlling thread creation

Answer

To manage thread synchronization effectively

Answer

To prioritize threads based on their importance

Answer

To keep all threads in the system constantly active

Question 37

In a paged memory management system, a page fault occurs when a process accesses a page that:

Accepted Answer

Resides in the page table but not in physical memory

Answer

Resides in physical memory

Answer

Resides neither in the page table nor in physical memory

Answer

Has been modified in physical memory but not in the page table

Question 38

When a process is created, it typically enters which state by default?

Accepted Answer

New

Answer

Terminated

Answer

Waiting

Answer

Running

Question 39

Which CPU scheduling algorithm prioritizes processes based on their arrival time, ensuring fairness?

Accepted Answer

First-Come-First-Served (FCFS)

Answer

Shortest Job First

Answer

Priority Scheduling

Answer

Round Robin

Question 40

What is the primary purpose of using system calls in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To request services from the kernel, such as I/O operations or memory allocation

Answer

To create new processes

Answer

To terminate processes

Question 41

Which type of process can execute multiple tasks concurrently, sharing the same memory space?

Accepted Answer

Multithreaded process

Answer

Batch process

Answer

Sequential process

Answer

Interactive process

Question 42

What is the key distinction between a process and a thread in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Threads share the same memory space within a process, while processes have separate memory spaces.

Answer

Threads are heavier than processes.

Answer

Processes are more efficient than threads.

Question 43

What is the primary goal of a memory manager in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To efficiently allocate and manage physical memory, ensuring optimal utilization and performance

Answer

To facilitate communication between processes

Answer

To schedule processes for execution

Answer

To handle input/output operations

Question 44

Which of the following is a key benefit of utilizing virtual memory in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

Increased flexibility and efficiency in memory allocation, allowing processes to use more memory than physically available

Answer

Enhanced system performance

Answer

Reduced memory usage

Answer

Improved security

Question 45

What is the purpose of a context switch in an operating system?

Accepted Answer

To save and restore the state of the current process, allowing the CPU to switch to a different process

Answer

To schedule processes for execution

Answer

To allocate memory to processes

Question 46

Which process state indicates that the process is currently utilizing the CPU?

Accepted Answer

Running

Answer

New

Answer

Waiting

Question 47

What is the primary objective of a context switch?

Accepted Answer

To preserve and restore the state of the current process, allowing another process to execute

Answer

To allocate memory to a process

Answer

To terminate a process

Question 48

Which scheduling algorithm prioritizes processes based on their estimated execution time?

Accepted Answer

Shortest Job First (SJF)

Answer

First-Come, First-Served (FCFS)

Answer

Priority

Answer

Round Robin

Question 49

What is the fundamental distinction between a thread and a process?

Accepted Answer

Threads within a process share the same memory space, while processes have their own independent memory spaces

Answer

Threads are inherently executed in parallel, whereas processes can be executed sequentially

Answer

Processes are created by the operating system, while threads are created by applications

Question 50

Which system call is employed to initiate the creation of a new process?

Accepted Answer

fork()

Answer

wait()

Answer

exec()

Answer

exit()

Question 51

What is the primary function of a process control block (PCB)?

Accepted Answer

To store essential information about a process, including its state, memory utilization, and priority

Answer

To allocate memory to a process

Answer

To schedule processes for execution

Question 52

Describe the relationship between a process and its associated threads.

Accepted Answer

A single process can have multiple threads, which share its resources and execute concurrently

Answer

A single thread can belong to multiple processes

Answer

Threads are independent of their respective processes