6.2.1. What is a System Call?

Try these first

1. 1.

   What is a system call?

   Hint

   Think of it as a way to ask the operating system for something.

2. 2.

   Name one example of a system call.

   Hint

   What functions do you use to access files?

3. 3.

   What does a system call do?

   • It provides user interface options
   • It allows applications to request services from the kernel
   • It creates new files

   Hint

   Think about how applications interact with the system.

4. 4.

   True or False: A system call can directly access hardware.

   • True
   • False

   Hint

   Consider the security model in operating systems.

5. 5.

   Describe a scenario in which a user-space application must use multiple system calls for its operations. What are those calls and how do they work together?

   Hint

   Think about how data flows through an application.

6. 6.

   Imagine a system without context switching. Discuss the potential issues that could arise in such an environment with regards to system calls.

   Hint

   Consider what happens if apps could directly access hardware.