International Baccalaureate IB Computer Science

Operating systems abstract hardware complexities to manage system resources.

Describe the functions of an operating system.
- Maintaining system integrity while running operating systems’ background operations
- Memory management, file system, device management, scheduling, security, accounting, graphical user interface (GUI), virtualization, networking.

Evaluate the use of polling and interrupt handling.
- Event frequency, CPU processing overheads, power source (battery or mains), event predictability, controlled latency, security concerns
- Real‑world scenarios may include keyboard and mouse inputs, network communications, disk I/O operations, embedded systems, real‑time systems.

Explain the role of the operating system in managing multitasking and resource allocation. (HL only)
- The challenges of multitasking and resource allocation, including task scheduling, resource contention and deadlock.

Describe the use of the control system components. (HL only)
- The input, process, output, and feedback mechanism (open‑loop, closed‑loop)
- Controller, sensors, actuators, transducers and control algorithm.

Explain the use of control systems in a range of real‑world applications. (HL only)
- Examples may include autonomous vehicles, home thermostats, automatic elevator controllers, automatic washing machines, traffic signal control systems, irrigation control systems, home security systems, automatic doors.