Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Computers

What is the Key Difference Between a Trap and an Interrupt?

A trap is caused by the program and is synchronous with it. If the program is run again and again, the trap will always occur at exactly the same position in the instruction stream. An interrupt is caused by an external event and its timing is not reproducible.

Why is the Process Table Needed in a Timesharing System?

The process table is needed to store the state of a process that is currently suspended, either ready or blocked. It is not needed in a single-process system because the single process is never suspended.

Is the Process Table Needed in Personal Computer Systems With Only One Process?

No, it is not needed in a single-process system because the single process is never suspended.... Continue reading "Understanding Operating Systems: Traps, Interrupts, System Calls, and Threads" »

Can the Priority Inversion Problem Happen with User-Level Threads?

The priority inversion problem occurs when a low-priority process is in its critical region and suddenly a high-priority process becomes ready and is scheduled. With user-level threads, it cannot happen that a low-priority thread is suddenly preempted to allow a high-priority thread to run. There is no preemption. With kernel-level threads, this problem can arise.

Does Round-Robin Scheduling Resolve Priority Inversion?

Round-robin scheduling can resolve the issue. Sooner or later, the low-priority process will run and eventually leave its critical region. With priority scheduling, the low-priority process never gets to run at all; with round-robin, it gets a normal time slice periodically,... Continue reading "Thread Synchronization, Priority Inversion, and CPU Efficiency" »

Output Devices

Dot Matrix Printers

Dot matrix printers are known for their ability to handle continuous forms and harsh environments.

Advantages

• Can print long jobs.
• Inexpensive to maintain.
• Can work in dirty atmospheres.
• Can print different characters.

Disadvantages

• Expensive to purchase.
• Noisy operation.
• Poor quality printing.

Inkjet Printers

Inkjet printers are made up of a print head, ink cartridge, motor, and paper feed mechanism.

General Printer Operation

The following steps describe how a typical printer processes a job:

1. Data is sent to the printer driver via USB.
2. The data is converted into a form the printer understands.
3. The system checks whether the job is able to be printed.
4. The printer receives data in the printer buffer (temporary memory), allowing

Introduction

The principle of MPEG audio compression is quantization. However, the values being quantized are not the audio samples themselves, but rather numbers (called signals) taken from the frequency domain of the sound.

Encoding Process

1. Bit Allocation: The encoder knows the compression ratio (or bit rate), allowing it to determine how many bits to allocate to the quantized signals. The adaptive bit allocation algorithm uses the bitrate and frequency spectrum of recent audio samples to minimize audible quantization noise (the difference between the original and quantized signal).
2. Discrete Fourier Transform: Psychoacoustic models, which determine the quantization coarseness, rely on sound frequency. Since the input is audio samples, the first

THE FILE: A file is a set of ordered documents that are related by some circumstance or event. It is essential for a company to have a file that is to sort and classify documentation in a particular way.

Why: It allows to keep, store and safeguard information, It can be easily and quickly found, To comply with the law, It can help in the decision-making process

Types of files:

1) Active: documents that are currently being used and queried

2) Semi-active: documents no longer effective but kept for legal reasons

3) Inactive: documents not valid but with a historical or documentary value

The File system: is the criterion used for ordering information.

• Alphabetical: Information classified in the order of the alphabet *

• Numerical: information in which each

Understanding Computer Networks

A network is created when more than one device is connected together. A network can be a small collection of computers connected within a building (e.g., a school, business, or home) or it can be a wide collection of computers connected around the world.

Data Packet Transmission

The main purpose of networking is to share data between computers. A file has to be broken up into small chunks of data known as data packets in order to be transmitted over a network. The data is then rebuilt once it reaches the destination computer. Networking hardware is required to connect computers and manage how data packets are communicated. Protocols are used to control how data is transmitted across networks.

Local Area Networks

The 7 Layers of the OSI Model

The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model defines a networking framework to implement protocols in seven distinct layers. Understanding these layers is fundamental to grasping how data communication occurs across networks.

Application Layer (Layer 7)

The Application Layer, OSI Model Layer 7, supports application and end-user processes. Key functions include identifying communication partners, defining quality of service, considering user authentication and privacy, and identifying any constraints on data syntax. Everything at this layer is application-specific.

This layer provides application services for file transfers, e-mail, and other network software services. Examples of applications existing entirely at this... Continue reading "The 7 Layers of the OSI Model Explained for Networking Professionals" »

The Scrum Guide

Framework for developing and sustaining complex adaptive problems, while productively and creatively delivering products of the highest possible value. Scrum is lightweight, simple to understand and difficult to master.

The Scrum Team

The Scrum Team: Self-organizing teams choose how best to accomplish their work, rather than being directed by others outside the team. It is designed to optimize flexibility, creativity, and productivity. It consists of:

• The Product Owner: Responsible for maximizing the value of the product and the work of the team. Responsible for managing the Product Backlog.
• The Development Team: Professionals who do the work of delivering a potentially releasable increment of 'Done' product at the end of each Sprint.

What is a software and what is a good software?

A software is a program on a computer which contains information and data. A good software is the one that fulfills the needs and hasn’t got bugs.

Software vs Hardware

Software: not touchable, variable and implemented in order to achieve goals. Hardware: invariable

SOFTWARE ETHICS:

• Confidentiality - Not telling the others because they can copy.
• Competence - To know what you’re doing.
• Intellectual property rights - not steal others ideas because it’s not moral.
• Computer misuse - don’t do things that you are not allowed to.
• Stuxnet: virus that will destroy softwares and hardwares.

SOFTWARE EVALUATION PROCESS:

• Specification: What do I need?
• Development: The programmer does it.
• Validation: Does it work?