COSC 3250 / COEN 4820 Operating Systems
Final Examination
Wednesday, May 8, 2019, 10:30 - 12:30

Your final examination will be a two hour, in-class examination. You are permitted to bring and use one 3x5" paper study card, which you will submit with your exam. It may be prepared in any manner you choose. The exam covers Chapters 1 - 12, 16, and 17 of our textbook, plus Internet protocols discussed in class. It is a comprehensive exam.

No electronic devices of any kind are permitted.

Expectations:

• See course goals and objectives
• See Objectives at the beginning of each chapter
• See Summary at the end of each chapter
• Read, understand, explain, and desk-check C programs
• See previous exams:

  midterm 2000 midterm #1 2005 midterm #2 2005 midterm #1 2007 midterm #2 2007 midterm #1 2008 midterm #2 2008 midterm #1 2009 midterm #2 2009 midterm #1 2010 midterm #2 2010 midterm #1 2011 midterm #2 2011 midterm #1 2012 midterm #2 2012

  midterm #1 2013 midterm #2 2013 midterm #1 2014 midterm #2 2014 midterm #1 2015 midterm #2 2015 midterm #1 2016 midterm #2 2016 midterm #1 2017 midterm #2 2017 midterm #1 2018 midterm #2 2018 midterm #1 2019 midterm #2 2019

  final A 2000 final B 2000 final 2005 final 2007 final 2008 A final 2008 B final 2008 C final 2009 Wed, Fri final 2009 solutions final 2010 final 2011 final 2012 Mon, Fri final 2013 final 2014 final 2015 final 2016 final 2017 final 2018 final 2019

Section and page number references in old exams refer to the edition of the text in use when that exam was given. You may have to do a little looking to map to the edition currently in use. Also, which chapters were covered on each exam varies a little from year to year.

Questions may be similar to homework questions from the book. You will be given a choice of questions. I try to ask questions I think you might hear in a job interview. "I see you took a class on Operating Systems. What can you tell me about ...?"

Preparation hints:

Read the assigned chapters in the text. Chapter summaries are especially helpful. Chapters 1 and 2 include excellent summaries of each of the later chapters.

Read and consider Practice Exercises and Exercises at the end of each chapter.

Review authors' slides and study guides from the textbook web site

Review previous exams listed above.

See also Dr. Barnard's notes. He was using a different edition of our text, so chapter and section numbers do not match, but his chapter summaries are excellent.

Question: Could you send an email about what we REALLY should focus on as we prepare for the exam?

I ABSOLUTELY get it that the exam appears to you very differently from how it appears to me. You have 40 different exams to look at as examples of questions I might ask, so you are able to judge from what I DO, as well as from what I say. This year, since I am allowing you to bring a study card, there might be fewer questions taken directly from previous exams.

See what we claim as Course Goals and Objectives

Some questions are adapted from questions previous students have reported being asked about operating systems at an interview.

Of course, there will be a vocabulary question, in some form. You should AT LEAST know what each line in the Table of Contents means.

Of course, there will be a tricky C question.

I like to ask a question or two in which you apply knowledge you should know to a situation you may not have considered.

If I will ask 6 questions (you write on 5) from 12 chapters, a final examination is a random sampling process. I cannot possibly ask about everything. It may not look like it to you, but I think I try to ask primarily high level conceptual questions, not tricky, detailed questions (except for the tricky C question, which is, well, tricky).

I always am tempted to ask, "What are the five BIG CONCEPTS of operating systems? What concept would you rate as #6? Why is it not as important as the first 5?" I will NOT ask that because I do not know how to grade it fairly, but it is a question you should be able to answer.

Read and follow the directions:

• Write on five of the six questions. Each question is worth 20 points. If you write more than five questions, only the first five will be graded. You do not get extra credit for doing extra problems.
• You are permitted to bring and use one 3x5 paper study card, which you will submit with your exam. It may be prepared in any manner you choose.
• In the event this exam is interrupted (e.g., fire alarm or bomb threat), students will leave their papers on their desks and evacuate as instructed. The exam will not resume. Papers will be graded based on their current state.
• Read the entire exam. If there is anything you do not understand about a question, please ask at once.
• If you find a question ambiguous, begin your answer by stating clearly what interpretation of the question you intend to answer.
• Begin your answer to each question at the top of a fresh sheet of paper [or -5].
• Be sure your name is on each sheet of paper you hand in [or -5]. That is because I often separate your papers by problem number for grading and re-assemble to record and return.
• Write only on one side of a sheet [or -5]. That is because I scan your exam papers, and the backs do not get scanned.
• No electronic devices of any kind are permitted.
• Be sure I can read what you write.
• If I ask questions with parts

  1. . . .
  2. . . .

  your answer should show parts

  1. . . .
  2. . . .

• Someone should have explained to you several years ago that "X is when ..." or "Y is where ..." are not suitable definitions (possibly excepting the cases in which X is a time or Y is a location). "X is when ..." or "Y is where ..." earn -5 points.
• The instructors reserve the right to assign bonus points beyond the stated value of the problem for exceptionally insightful answers. Conversely, we reserve the right to assign negative scores to answers that show less understanding than a blank sheet of paper. Both of these are rare events.

The university suggests exam rules:

1. Silence all electronics (including cell phones, watches, and tablets) and place in your backpack.
2. No electronic devices of any kind are permitted.
3. No hoods, hats, or earbuds allowed.
4. Be sure to visit the rest room prior to the exam.

In addition, you will be asked to sign the honor pledge at the top of the exam:

"I recognize the importance of personal integrity in all aspects of life and work. I commit myself to truthfulness, honor and responsibility, by which I earn the respect of others. I support the development of good character and commit myself to uphold the highest standards of academic integrity as an important aspect of personal integrity. My commitment obliges me to conduct myself according to the Marquette University Honor Code."

Name ________________________   Date ____________