58123-3 Computer  Systems Organization (Tietokoneen toiminta )


Final exam  26.2.1999

Write the course name and the exam date along with your name, date of birth, 
and signature at the top of each of your answer sheets.
 

1. You have written a pretty large program consisting of several code modules 
using some common programming language such as C, Java or Pascal. You have 
saved the program modules in the memory of your computer. In order to be able 
to run the program you have to transform it into a form understood by the 
computer. To do that you need a translator (a compiler), a linker and 
a loader. 
a)  Explain what a translator does. What is the  purpose of  the symbol table?
    What is the use  of  relocation bits? (8 p)
b)  What does  a linker do?  Why is it needed? (5 p)
c)  What is the task of a loader?  (2 p)

2.  In a multiprogramming system there can be many processes in the central 
memory, one at most can be in the running state. 
a)   What is a process?  (1 p)
b)   What does it mean to be in the running state?  In what other states  
     can a process be?  (4 p)
c)  When and how  does  the process in the running state move to some 
    other state? Explain all possible transitions from the running state 
    to some other state. (6 p) 
d)  What methods  can a  scheduler  use when choosing  the process  to 
    run? (4 p)
 
3. What is virtual memory? Why is it used? Where is it used? How does 
it work? What are the principle concepts of virtual memory?  For what 
purpose  is the translation lookaside buffer used? (15 p)
  
  
4.  Answer  shortly  the following questions.
a)  What different addressing modes  can be used in an  instruction 
    set? (6 p)
b)  Explain how the CPU executes instructions. (6 p)
c)  What is a cache?  Why is it used? (2p)
d)  Big endian, little endian, where is  the difference?  (1 p)