NDIAN INSTITUTE OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
INTERNAL EXAMINATION
Computer Organisation
THEORY January 2024
DURATION: 2 HOUR set - 2 MARKS= https://www.google.com/search?q=100
PART 1 OBJECTIVE (1 HOUR) 40 MARKS
NOTE: ALL THE QUESTIONS ARE COMPULSORY AND EACH QUESTION CARRIES EQUAL MARKS.
Q1. MARK THE CORRECT ANSWERS FOR THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. cite_start
Identify the command which is used to remove files.
b) rm
Among the following command which is used with vi editors to delete a single character?
b) x
What is the core of the Linux operating system?
b) kernel
Identify the OS which is not based on Linux.
b) BSD
Which of the following sign is used to represent the user home directory?
c) ~
The address in the main memory is known as –
b) Physical address
Explanation: A physical address is the actual address of a memory location in the main memory
(RAM).
Computer address bus is – [cite: https://www.google.com/search?q=100]
c) Unidirectional [cite: https://www.google.com/search?q=102]
Explanation: An address bus carries memory addresses from the CPU to main memory or I/O
devices. The data flows in one direction only, from the CPU to the memory/device.
Which of the following computer memory is fastest? [cite: https://www.google.com/search?
q=103]
a) register [cite: https://www.google.com/search?q=104]
Explanation: Registers are the smallest and fastest memory storage units located directly within
the CPU.
Which of the following memory unit communicates directly with the CPU? [cite: https://
www.google.com/search?q=106]
b) Main memory [cite: https://www.google.com/search?q=107]
Explanation: Main memory (RAM) is directly accessible by the CPU, allowing for quick data
retrieval.
Which of the following is correct about memory and storage? [cite: https://www.google.com/
search?q=109]
c) RAM
Explanation: This question seems to have options listed that are memory types rather than a
statement about memory and storage. Assuming it's asking for a common type of memory, RAM
is a correct option as it's a primary type of computer memory.
Q2. MARK TRUE OR FALSE IN THE FOLLOWING: (https://www.google.com/search?q=10)
The input devices like the keyboard are used to enter data in a form of a binary system.
TRUE
Common examples of input devices are a Keyboard, mouse, joystick, etc.
TRUE
The output converts data into a human-readable form before presenting it to the user for better
understanding.
TRUE
Email or output on the computer screen falls in the category of softcopy.
TRUE
Hardcopy is received by the proper output on papers, T-shirts, etc. which can be touched and felt.
TRUE
The CPU plays an important role in carrying out arithmetical and logical calculations with great
accuracy and incredible speed.
TRUE
The central processing acts not as the boss in complete computer architecture.
FALSE
Explanation: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is indeed the "boss" or "brain" of the computer,
controlling and coordinating most operations.
The control unit is mindful to execute all tasks specifically and consecutive requests.
TRUE
The CU figures out which activity is to perform before another undertaking or activity.
TRUE
Address bus carries the address of data (not the actual data) between memory and processor.
TRUE
Q3. MATCH THE COLUMN A VALUES WITH COLUMN B (https://www.google.com/search?q=10)
COLUMN A COLUMN B
Control Bus carries control commands from the CPU
Von-Neumann computer
architecture 1945
OR gate
Y=A+B
Cache Memory fastest memory in a computer
Address bus carries the address of data (not the actual data) between
memory and processor.
AND gate
Y=A.B
Register memory the smallest and fastest part of memory.
Read Only Memory
ROM
PROM
Programmable Read-Only Memory
MROM
Mask Read Only Memory
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Q4. FILL IN THE BLANKS USING THE APPROPRIATE OPTION. cite_start
ROM is
non-volatile memory which means that the data stored in it is retained even when the power is
turned off.
peripheral device is a device that is connected to a computer system but is not part of the core
computer system architecture.
mouse is an input device that allows users to control the cursor on a computer screen.
speaker is an output device that produces audio.
A modem is a
communication device that allows a computer system to connect to the internet.
An
operating system is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot
program, manages all of the other application programs in a computer.
Memory management is the process of controlling and coordinating a computer's main
memory.
file system is a method an operating system uses to store, organize, and manage files and
directories on a storage device.
In a
multiuser operating system, multiple numbers of users can access different resources of a
computer at the same time.
Multiple users to perform multiple tasks at the same time
Multitasking.
Part 2 SUBJECTIVE ( 1 HOUR ) 60 MARKS
Q1 attempt any four. 40
1. What is shell Scripting? How shell Scripting works?
Shell Scripting is like writing a list of commands for your computer to follow automatically.
Instead of typing each command one by one into the command line (which is called the shell),
you put all the commands into a file, and then the shell runs them all in order. It's a way to
automate tasks and make your computer do repetitive jobs by itself.
How Shell Scripting Works:
Writing the Script: You write a series of commands (like ls, cd, mkdir, cp, rm, etc.) in a plain text
file. You also add special lines called "shebang" (e.g., #!/bin/bash) at the beginning to tell the
operating system which shell interpreter (like Bash) should run the script.
Making it Executable: You need to give the script permission to run. You do this using the chmod
command (e.g., chmod +x myscript.sh).
Executing the Script: You run the script from the command line by typing its name (e.g., ./
myscript.sh).
Shell Interpreter: When you run the script, the shell interpreter (e.g., Bash) reads the commands
from the file one by one.
Execution: For each command, the shell interpreter acts as if you typed it manually into the
terminal. It executes the command, and any output or errors are shown to you.
Automation: This allows you to combine many small commands into a powerful sequence. For
example, you could write a script to back up all your important files, clean up old temporary files,
or start a set of programs in a specific order, all with a single command.
2. What is the difference between Linux and Windows?
Here's a simple comparison between Linux and Windows:
Feature Linux Windows
Type Open-source operating system. Proprietary (owned by Microsoft) operating
system.
Cost Mostly free to use and distribute. Paid license required for most versions.
Source Code Openly available and can be Closed source, cannot be modified by
modified. users.
Customization Highly customizable; users can Limited customization options.
change almost anything.
Security Generally considered more More common target for viruses and
secure, less prone to viruses. malware.
User Interface Many desktop environments Primarily uses the Aero/Fluent Design GUI.
(GNOME, KDE, XFCE).
Command Powerful and frequently used Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell,
Line (Bash shell). less frequently used by average users.
Gaming Improving, but fewer native Dominant platform for PC gaming due to
games. wider game support.
Software Large repository of free and Vast commercial software availability.
open-source software.
Learning Can be steeper for new users. Generally easier for beginners to pick up.
Curve
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In short, Linux gives you more freedom and control, often for free, while Windows is easier to use
for most people and has more commercial software and game support.
3. Explain Architecture of Linux?
The architecture of Linux is layered, meaning it's built in different levels, with each layer
performing specific tasks. This structure helps keep the system stable and efficient. Here's a
simple breakdown:
Hardware Layer: This is the lowest level, consisting of all the physical components of the
computer, like the CPU, RAM, hard disk, and other input/output devices. [cite: 74, https://
www.google.com/search?q=104]
Kernel: This is the core of the Linux operating system. It sits directly on top of the hardware and
acts as a bridge between the hardware and the software. The kernel's main jobs include:
Process Management: Starting, stopping, and managing different programs (processes).
Memory Management: Allocating and managing memory for various programs.
Device Drivers: Allowing the operating system to communicate with hardware devices.
System Calls: Providing a way for applications to request services from the kernel.
Shell: The shell is a command-line interpreter that acts as an interface between the user and the
kernel. When you type commands (like
ls or cd), the shell translates them into instructions that the kernel can understand. There are
different types of shells, like Bash, Zsh, etc.
System Utilities & Libraries:
System Utilities: These are programs that perform specific system-related tasks, like managing
files (cp, mv, rm), managing users, or configuring network settings.
Libraries: These are collections of code that provide common functions that applications can
use. They help developers write programs without having to code everything from scratch.
Applications / User Programs: This is the topmost layer, where all the software you use directly
resides. This includes web browsers, word processors, games, and any other programs. These
applications interact with the kernel through the shell and system libraries.
So, when you click on an icon, the application sends a request through system libraries to the
kernel, which then interacts with the hardware to perform the action.
4. What is operating System? Write five tasks of operating System.
An Operating System (OS) is the most important software that runs on a computer. It's the
program that, after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot program, manages all of the
other application programs in a computer. Think of it as the master controller that makes sure all
the hardware and software work together smoothly. Without an OS, your computer would just be
a collection of unusable parts.
Here are five key tasks (functions) of an Operating System:
Process Management: The OS manages all the running programs (processes). It decides when a
program starts, stops, and how much CPU time it gets. It also handles communication between
different programs and prevents them from interfering with each other.
Memory Management: The OS controls how memory (RAM) is used. It allocates memory to
different programs when they need it and reclaims it when they are done. This ensures that
programs don't try to use each other's memory space and prevents crashes.
File Management: The OS organizes and manages all the files and folders on your storage
devices (like hard drives). It helps you create, delete, copy, move, and access files. It also
manages the file system, which determines how data is stored and retrieved.
Device Management: The OS communicates with and controls all the hardware devices
connected to the computer, such as the keyboard, mouse, printer, scanner, and network card. It
uses special software called "device drivers" to do this.
User Interface (UI) Management: The OS provides a way for users to interact with the computer.
This can be a graphical user interface (GUI) with icons and windows (like Windows or macOS) or
a command-line interface (CLI) where you type commands (like Linux).
5. What is peripheral devices? explain with an example.
A
peripheral device is any device that is connected to a computer system but is not part of the core
computer system architecture (which typically includes the CPU, motherboard, and RAM). These
devices "extend" the computer's capabilities by providing input, output, or storage functions. They
are essentially accessories that enhance what a computer can do.
Explanation with Examples:
Peripheral devices are broadly categorized into:
Input Devices: These devices send data into the computer.
Example: Keyboard. A keyboard is a classic input peripheral. When you type on it, it converts your
key presses into electrical signals that the computer understands as data. This data is then
processed by the CPU.
Other examples include: mouse, microphone, scanner, webcam.
Output Devices: These devices receive data from the computer and display it or present it to the
user in a human-readable form.
Example: Printer. A printer is an output peripheral. The computer sends digital data (like a
document) to the printer, which then converts it into a physical hardcopy on paper.
Other examples include: monitor, speakers, headphones.
Storage Devices: While the main memory (RAM) is core, external storage devices are often
considered peripherals.
Example: External Hard Drive. An external hard drive connects to a computer (usually via USB)
and provides additional long-term storage space for files, photos, videos, etc., without being
permanently built into the computer's main casing.
Communication Devices: These devices enable a computer to connect with other computers or
networks.
Example: Modem. A modem is a communication device that allows your computer to connect to
the internet by converting digital signals from your computer into analog signals that can travel
over telephone lines or cable lines, and vice versa.
Other examples include: network interface cards (NICs), routers.
Q2 Shorts notes 20
a) Cat command
The cat command (short for "concatenate") is a fundamental command-line utility in Unix-like
operating systems (like Linux) that has several uses related to text files.
Purpose:
Displaying File Content: Its most common use is to display the entire content of one or more text
files directly to the standard output (your terminal screen).
Concatenating Files: It can combine the content of multiple files into a single output, which can
then be redirected to a new file.
Creating Files: You can also use cat to create a new, small text file directly from the terminal
input.
Syntax: cat [option] file_name(s)
Example:
cat mydocument.txt: Displays the content of mydocument.txt.
cat file1.txt file2.txt > combined.txt: Combines file1.txt and file2.txt into a new file named
combined.txt.
b) mv command
The mv command (short for "move") is a command-line utility in Unix-like operating systems
used for two main purposes: moving files and directories, and renaming files and directories.
Purpose:
Moving: It relocates files or directories from one location to another within the file system.
Renaming: If the destination is a new name in the same directory, mv effectively renames the file
or directory.
Syntax: mv [option] source_item destination_item
source_item: The file or directory you want to move/rename.
destination_item: The new location or new name.
Example:
mv old_file.txt new_file.txt: Renames old_file.txt to new_file.txt in the same directory.
mv document.pdf /home/user/documents/: Moves document.pdf from the current directory to
the documents folder.
c) tail command
The tail command is a command-line utility in Unix-like operating systems that is used to display
the last part (the "tail") of a file. By default, it shows the last https://www.google.com/search?
q=10 lines of a file.
Purpose: It's very useful for monitoring log files in real-time, as new entries are usually added at
the end of the file. It can also be used to quickly view the most recent information in any text file.
Syntax: tail [option] file_name
Common Options:
-n N: Displays the last N lines of the file. (e.g., tail -n 20 myfile.log shows the last 20 lines)
-f: "Follow" mode. This keeps the file open and continuously displays new lines as they are added
to the file. This is extremely useful for live monitoring of logs. (e.g., tail -f /var/log/syslog)
Example: To see the last few entries of a system log file, you might use tail /var/log/messages.
d) rmdir command
The rmdir command (short for "remove directory") is a command-line utility used in Unix-like
operating systems (like Linux) to delete or remove empty directories.
Purpose: It is specifically designed to remove directories that do not contain any files or
subdirectories. If a directory contains any content, rmdir will give an error, and you'll need to use a
different command (like rm -r) to remove it.
Syntax: rmdir [option] directory_name
Example: If you have an empty directory named "MyEmptyFolder", you would remove it by typing
rmdir MyEmptyFolder in the terminal.
