CSE 451
Autumn 2002

Homework #1

Out: September 30, 2002
Due: October 7, 2002

Questions from the textbook (Silberschatz, Galvin, and Gagne):

1.9, 2.3, 2.5, 2.6, 3.6

Additional questions:

1. POSIX is an operating system interface defined by IEEE based on UNIX. DEC, a former computer manufacturer, claimed that it would make its proprietary operating system (VMS) compliant with the POSIX standard. Microsoft made the same claim with Windows NT. Explain how these two proprietary operating systems could be made POSIX compliant.

2. State some factors that would cause a timing difference between an application program doing a normal procedure call and a system call to an operating system procedure.

3. Do you have access to your own computer? If so, describe the hardware (Intel 8086, Pentium II, MIPS R4000, Alpha, etc.) and the operating system running on your machine (Linux, Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, etc.).

4. How long did you spend doing completing this homework assignment?