Explanation:A shell is a command-line interface (CLI) program that allows users to interact with the operating system by entering commands. It acts as an intermediary between the user and the OS kernel. Common tasks performed using a shell include file manipulation, program execution, and system configuration. Popular shell programs include Bash (Bourne Again Shell), Zsh,…
Explanation:A file descriptor is an integer handle or reference used by an operating system to access files or I/O resources like sockets and pipes. When a process opens a file, the operating system assigns a file descriptor to track interactions with that file. In UNIX and UNIX-like operating systems, file descriptors 0, 1, and 2…
Explanation:A Virtual Machine (VM) is a software-based emulation of a physical computer that allows multiple operating systems to run on a single physical machine. It abstracts the underlying hardware and provides an isolated environment for applications. Virtual machines are managed by a hypervisor, which allocates system resources like CPU, memory, and storage to each virtual…
Explanation:LRU (Least Recently Used) is a page replacement algorithm used in operating systems to manage memory efficiently. When the system needs to replace a page in memory, LRU selects the page that has not been accessed for the longest period. LRU approximates the optimal page replacement strategy by tracking page usage over time. This algorithm…
Explanation:FIFO (First In First Out) is a simple and straightforward scheduling algorithm used in operating systems and data structures. In this approach, processes are scheduled in the order they arrive, without any prioritization. The first process that enters the queue is the first to be executed. This scheduling technique is analogous to a queue in…
Explanation:Multi-threading is a technique that allows multiple threads to execute concurrently within a single process. A thread is a lightweight sub-process that shares resources such as memory, file handles, and code with other threads within the same process but has its own program counter, stack, and registers. Multi-threading improves the efficiency and responsiveness of applications…
Explanation:A system call is a fundamental mechanism that provides an interface between user applications and the operating system. It allows user-level processes to request services from the kernel, such as process control, file management, and communication. Unlike regular function calls, system calls switch the process execution from user mode to kernel mode, granting the process…
The kernel is the core component of an operating system that acts as a bridge between hardware and software. It manages system resources, including the CPU, memory, I/O devices, and file systems, ensuring that applications have controlled and secure access to these resources. As the primary part of the OS, the kernel operates in a…