Practical Assignment - Class 8 - Operating System

Practical Assignment — Windows Operating System
This assignment helps you explore and understand the Windows Operating System through hands-on activities using Command Prompt (CMD) or PowerShell. You will learn to manage files, processes, users, and system resources using Windows CLI tools.
Objectives
By the end of this practical assignment, you will be able to work confidently with Windows through the command line and understand how to perform essential system tasks.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the role of the Windows Operating System in managing hardware and software resources.
- Practice basic CMD and PowerShell commands.
- Explore file system and directory management using Windows CLI.
- Monitor system resources and observe performance metrics.
- Develop hands-on technical skills essential for IT professionals.
Instructions
Use CMD or PowerShell
Use Command Prompt (CMD) or Windows PowerShell to perform all tasks. Do not use GUI-based tools.
Take Screenshots
Take clear screenshots of each command and its output. Screenshots must be readable and complete.
Write Descriptions
Write brief descriptions of the commands used and record your observations for each task.
Compile and Submit
Compile your work into a professional report and submit before the deadline.
Tools and Environment
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Command Prompt (CMD) | Built-in command line tool available in Windows. |
| Windows PowerShell | Advanced command line and scripting environment for Windows. |
| Operating System | Windows 10 or Windows 11. |
Practical Tasks
Complete the following 8 tasks step by step. Execute each command, observe the output, take a screenshot, and record your observations.
Task 1: System Information
Display System Information
Display system information including OS name, version, and current date & time.
systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS Name"
systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"OS Version"
date /t & time /t
OS Name: Microsoft Windows 11 Pro
OS Version: 10.0.22631 N/A Build 22631
Date: 06-05-2024
Time: 02:35 PM
Task 2: Directory Operations
Create and Navigate Directory
Create a directory, navigate into it, and list its contents.
mkdir OS_Practical
cd OS_Practical
dir
Volume in drive C has no label.
Volume Serial Number is 1A2B-3C4D
Directory of C:\OS_Practical
06-05-2024 02:35 PM <DIR> .
06-05-2024 02:35 PM <DIR> ..
0 File(s) 0 bytes
2 Dir(s) 120,345,678,720 bytes free
Task 3: File Operations
Create, View, and Delete File
Create a file, write text into it, view the content, and delete the file.
echo Hello Windows! > sample.txt
type sample.txt
del sample.txt
C:\OS_Practical> type sample.txt
Hello Windows!
C:\OS_Practical> del sample.txt
Deleted file - sample.txt
Task 4: Process Management
List and Find Running Processes
List all running processes and find a specific process (like Chrome).
tasklist
tasklist | findstr chrome
Image Name PID Session Name Mem Usage
chrome.exe 12345 Console 250,340 K
chrome.exe 12876 Console 180,420 K
Task 5: Disk Usage
Check Disk Space
Check disk space usage and available free space.
wmic logicaldisk get caption,size,freespace,filesystem
Caption Size FreeSpace FileSystem
C: 256060514304 120345678720 NTFS
D: 512110190592 342345678912 NTFS
Task 6: User Information
Display User Details
Display the current logged-in user and account details.
whoami
net user
C:\OS_Practical> whoami
DESKTOP-ABCD123\User
User accounts for \\DESKTOP-ABCD123
----------------------------------
User Administrator Guest
The command completed successfully.
Task 7: Network Information
Display IP and Test Connectivity
Display IP configuration and test network connectivity.
ipconfig
ping google.com
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.10
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
Reply from 142.250.72.14: bytes=32 time=24ms TTL=115
Task 8: System Performance
Monitor CPU and Memory
Monitor CPU and memory usage in real-time.
tasklist
wmic os get freephysicalmemory,totalvisiblememorysize
Image Name CPU Time Mem Usage
chrome.exe 00:01:25 250,340 K
explorer.exe 00:00:45 120,120 K
FreePhysicalMemory TotalVisibleMemorySize
1203456 8388608
PowerShell Equivalent Commands
You can also use PowerShell to perform the same tasks. Below are the PowerShell equivalents of the CMD commands used above.
| Task | CMD Command | PowerShell Command |
|---|---|---|
| System Information | systeminfo |
Get-ComputerInfo |
| Current Date/Time | date /t & time /t |
Get-Date |
| Create Directory | mkdir OS_Practical |
New-Item -ItemType Directory OS_Practical |
| List Files | dir |
Get-ChildItem |
| Create File | echo Hello > file.txt |
"Hello" | Out-File file.txt |
| View File | type file.txt |
Get-Content file.txt |
| Delete File | del file.txt |
Remove-Item file.txt |
| List Processes | tasklist |
Get-Process |
| Disk Usage | wmic logicaldisk get ... |
Get-PSDrive |
| Current User | whoami |
$env:USERNAME |
| Network Info | ipconfig |
Get-NetIPConfiguration |
| Ping | ping google.com |
Test-Connection google.com |
| System Performance | tasklist |
Get-Process | Sort CPU -Descending |
Evaluation Criteria
Your assignment will be evaluated based on the following criteria. Focus on all four areas for maximum marks.
| # | Criteria | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Task Completion | 40% |
| 2 | Command Accuracy | 20% |
| 3 | Output Screenshots | 20% |
| 4 | Report & Explanation | 20% |
| Total | 100% | |
Report Format
Your submitted report must follow the structure below for consistency and clarity.
Required Report Sections
- Cover Page: Name, Roll Number, Class, Submission Date.
- Objective: Purpose of the assignment.
- Tools / Environment Used: CMD, PowerShell, Windows version.
- Tasks Performed with Commands: Task-wise commands executed.
- Screenshots of Outputs: Clear screenshots for every task.
- Observations & Conclusion: Observations and key learnings.
- References (if any): Websites, books, or resources used.
Submission Guidelines
File Format
Submit your report in PDF or DOCX format.
Clear Screenshots
Include clear screenshots for every task showing both the command and its output.
Neat Formatting
Use proper headings, numbering, and consistent formatting throughout the document.
Readable Content
Ensure all commands and outputs are readable and well-organized.
Submit Before Deadline
Submit your assignment before the due date to avoid rejection or penalty.
Common Errors to Avoid
Common Mistakes
- Using GUI tools instead of CLI
- Missing or unclear screenshots
- Incorrect command syntax
- Not organizing tasks properly
- Submitting in the wrong file format
- Missing observations or explanations
- Late submission
Best Practices
- Use CMD or PowerShell for all tasks
- Take clean, readable screenshots
- Verify commands before executing
- Follow task order in your report
- Submit in PDF or DOCX only
- Write clear observations
- Submit before the deadline
Tips for Success
- Practice commands in a safe environment before final execution.
- Be careful with commands like
delandrmdir— they permanently remove files. - Use Snipping Tool or Print Screen (PrtSc) for high-quality screenshots.
- Try both CMD and PowerShell versions of the commands for practice.
- Explain in your own words what each command does.
- Include observations about system behavior for extra credit.
- Proofread your report before submission.
- Keep backup copies of your work.
Key Takeaway
Through this practical assignment, you will gain hands-on experience in managing files, processes, users, disk usage, and system information using Windows CLI tools. Mastering CMD and PowerShell is an essential skill for every computer user and future IT professional — providing a strong foundation for careers in system administration, DevOps, cybersecurity, and technical support.

Practical Assignment — Operating System
This practical assignment helps you explore and understand basic Operating System concepts through hands-on activities using command line tools. You will learn to interact with the OS, manage files and processes, monitor system performance, and gain real-world experience.
Objectives of the Assignment
By the end of this practical assignment, you will be able to understand the role of an Operating System and gain hands-on experience in using command line tools to manage system resources.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the role of an Operating System in managing hardware and software resources.
- Practice basic commands and system operations using the Command Line Interface (CLI).
- Explore file system operations and directory management.
- Observe process management and running services.
- Monitor system resources and performance metrics.
- Develop hands-on technical skills using CLI tools.
Instructions
Use CLI for All Tasks
Use the Command Line Interface (CLI) of your operating system to perform all tasks. Do not use GUI-based tools for the assignment.
Take Screenshots
Capture screenshots of each command and its output. Screenshots should be clear and readable.
Write Descriptions
Write a brief description of each command used, its purpose, and the result observed.
Submit Report
Compile your work into a proper report and submit it in the specified format before the deadline.
Tools and Environment
You can use any operating system that supports a command line interface. The following are the recommended environments for this assignment.
| Operating System | CLI Tool | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Command Prompt / PowerShell | Built-in command line tools on Windows. |
| Linux | Bash (Terminal) | Powerful CLI available on all Linux distributions. |
| macOS | Terminal | Unix-based CLI environment on Mac systems. |
| Others | Any OS with CLI | Any OS of your choice with a CLI environment. |
Practical Tasks
Complete the following 8 tasks step by step. For each task, execute the given commands, observe the output, take a screenshot, and record your observations.
Task 1: System Information
Display System Information
Display the system name, operating system version, and the current date and time using CLI commands.
# Display system information
uname -a
# Show current date and time
date
Task 2: Directory Operations
Create and Navigate Directories
Create a new directory named OS_Practical, navigate into it,
and list its contents.
# Create a new directory
mkdir OS_Practical
# Navigate into the directory
cd OS_Practical
# List directory contents
ls -l
Task 3: File Operations
Create, Edit, and Delete Files
Create a file named sample.txt, write some text into it, view
its content, and then delete it.
# Create an empty file
touch sample.txt
# Write text into the file
echo "Hello OS!" > sample.txt
# View the content of the file
cat sample.txt
# Delete the file
rm sample.txt
Task 4: Process Management
List and Find Running Processes
List all running processes on the system and find a specific process (like a browser or terminal).
# List all running processes
ps aux
# Find a specific process (example: chrome)
ps aux | grep chrome
Task 5: Disk Usage
Check Disk Space
Check the disk usage and available free space of your system.
# Show disk usage in human-readable format
df -h
Task 6: User Management
Display User Information
Display the current logged-in user and their user ID information.
# Display current username
whoami
# Show user ID and group details
id
Task 7: Network Information
Display IP and Test Connectivity
Display the system's IP configuration and test network connectivity by pinging a website.
# Display IP address information
ip a
# Ping a website to test connectivity
ping -c 4 google.com
Task 8: System Performance
Monitor CPU and Memory
Monitor CPU usage, memory usage, and running tasks in real-time.
# Monitor real-time system performance (press q to quit)
top
# Display memory usage
free -h
Sample Outputs Reference
Below are example command outputs from a Linux Bash terminal. Your output may vary based on your operating system and configuration.
System Information Output
user@linux:~$ uname -a
Linux linux 6.5.0-20-generic x86_64 GNU/Linux
user@linux:~$ date
Mon May 06 14:35:20 2024
Directory Operations Output
user@linux:~$ mkdir OS_Practical
user@linux:~$ cd OS_Practical
user@linux:~/OS_Practical$ ls -l
total 0
File Operations Output
user@linux:~/OS_Practical$ echo "Hello OS!" > sample.txt
user@linux:~/OS_Practical$ cat sample.txt
Hello OS!
Process Management Output
user@linux:~$ ps aux | head -3
USER PID %CPU %MEM COMMAND
user 1234 1.2 2.1 gnome-shell
user 2345 0.3 1.0 chrome
user 3456 0.1 0.5 bash
Disk Usage Output
user@linux:~$ df -h
Filesystem Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on
/dev/sda1 50G 18G 29G 39% /
/dev/sda2 100G 40G 60G 40% /home
User Management Output
user@linux:~$ whoami
user
user@linux:~$ id
uid=1000(user) gid=1000(user) groups=1000(user),27(sudo)
Network Information Output
user@linux:~$ ip a | grep inet
inet 127.0.0.1/8 scope host lo
inet 192.168.1.10/24 brd 192.168.1.255 scope global eth0
user@linux:~$ ping -c 2 google.com
64 bytes from 142.250.72.14: icmp_seq=1 ttl=115 time=25.3 ms
System Performance Output
top - 14:36:10 up 10 min, 2 users
Tasks: 195 total, 1 running, 194 sleeping, 0 stopped, 0 zombie
%Cpu(s): 2.3 us, 1.1 sy, 0.0 ni
Mem: 7.7G total, 2.1G used, 5.6G free, 450M buff/cache
Evaluation Criteria
Your assignment will be evaluated based on the following criteria. Ensure you focus on all aspects to secure maximum marks.
| # | Criteria | Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Task Completion | 40% |
| 2 | Command Accuracy | 20% |
| 3 | Output Screenshots | 20% |
| 4 | Report & Explanation | 20% |
| Total | 100% | |
Report Format
Your submitted report must follow the structure below for consistency and clarity.
Required Report Sections
- Cover Page: Include your name, roll number, class, and submission date.
- Objective: Clearly state the purpose of the assignment.
- Tools / Environment Used: Mention the operating system and CLI tool used.
- Tasks Performed with Commands: List each task with the commands executed.
- Screenshots of Outputs: Include clear screenshots for every task.
- Observations & Conclusion: Write your observations and key learnings.
- References (if any): Cite websites, books, or resources used.
Submission Guidelines
File Format
Submit your report in PDF or DOCX format. Do not submit in image or text formats.
Screenshots
Every task must have a clear, readable screenshot showing both the command and its output.
Formatting
Use consistent headings, numbering, and layout to make your report well-structured and professional.
Neatness and Readability
Maintain proper spacing, alignment, and typography. Proofread before submitting.
Submit Before Deadline
Ensure you submit your assignment before the due date to avoid penalty or rejection.
Windows CMD Equivalent Commands
If you are using Windows, use the following equivalent commands for the corresponding tasks.
| Task | Linux Command | Windows Command |
|---|---|---|
| System Information | uname -a |
systeminfo |
| Current Date/Time | date |
date /t && time /t |
| Create Directory | mkdir |
mkdir or md |
| List Files | ls -l |
dir |
| Create File | touch file.txt |
type nul > file.txt |
| View File | cat file.txt |
type file.txt |
| Delete File | rm file.txt |
del file.txt |
| List Processes | ps aux |
tasklist |
| Disk Usage | df -h |
wmic logicaldisk get size,freespace,caption |
| Current User | whoami |
whoami |
| Network Info | ip a |
ipconfig |
| Ping | ping -c 4 google.com |
ping google.com |
| System Performance | top |
tasklist or Task Manager |
Tips for Success
- Practice each command in a safe environment before submission.
- Always double-check commands before executing (especially
rmanddel). - Keep screenshots clear and well-organized in your report.
- Explain the purpose of each command in your own words.
- Add observations from your experience for extra credit.
- Use a consistent font and layout throughout the document.
- Ensure spelling and grammar are correct before final submission.
- Submit well before the deadline to avoid last-minute issues.
Key Takeaway
Through this practical assignment, you will gain hands-on experience of using an Operating System — managing files, processes, resources, and system information efficiently. This experience is fundamental to becoming a confident computer user, developer, or system administrator in your future career.
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