An Operating System (OS) is an interface between a computer user and
computer hardware. An operating system is a software which performs all the
basic tasks like file management, memory management, process management,
handling input and output, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk
drives and printers.
An operating
system or OS is a software program that enables the
computer hardware to communicate and operate with the
computer software. Without a
computer operating system, a computer and software programs would be useless.
The picture is an example of Microsoft
Windows XP, a popular operating system and what the box may look like if you
were to visit a local retail store to purchase it.
When
computers were first introduced, the user interacted with them using a command line interface, which required commands.
Today, almost every computer is using a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
operating system that is much easier to use and operate.
Some popular Operating Systems include MS-DOS, Windows, UNIX, Linux.
Fig: Operating System
Following are some of
important functions of an
operating System.
- Memory Management
- Processor Management
- Device Management
- File Management
- Security
- Control over system
performance
- Job accounting
- Error detecting aids
- Coordination between other
software and users
Memory Management
Memory management refers to management of Primary Memory or Main
Memory. Main memory is a large array of words or bytes where each word or byte
has its own address.
Main memory provides a fast storage that can be accessed directly
by the CPU. For a program to be executed, it must in the main memory. An
Operating System does the following activities for memory management:
- · Keeps tracks of primary memory, i.e., what part of it are in use by whom, what part is not in use?
- · In multiprogramming, the OS decides which process will get memory when and how much.
- · Allocates the memory when a process requests it to do so.
- · De-allocates the memory when a process no longer needs it or has been terminated.
Processor Management
In multi programming environment, the OS decides which process gets
the processor when and for how much time. This function is called process
scheduling. An Operating System does the following activities for processor
management −
- · Keeps tracks of processor and status of process. The program responsible for this task is known as traffic controller.
- · Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process.
- · De-allocates processor when a process is no longer required.
Device Management
An Operating System manages device communication via their
respective drivers. It does the following activities for device management −
- · Keeps tracks of all devices. Program responsible for this task is known as the I/O controller.
- · Decides which process gets the device when and for how much time.
- · Allocates the device in the efficient way.
- · De-allocates devices.
File Management
A file system is normally organized into directories for easy
navigation and usage. These directories may contain files and other directions.
An Operating System does the following activities for file
management −
- · Keeps track of information, location, uses, status etc. The collective facilities are often known as file system.
- · Decides who gets the resources.
- · Allocates the resources.
- · De-allocates the resources.
Other Important Activities
Following are some of the important activities that an Operating
System performs −
- · Security − By means of password and similar other techniques, it prevents unauthorized access to programs and data.
- · Control over system performance − Recording delays between request for a service and response from the system.
- · Job accounting − Keeping track of time and resources used by various jobs and users.
- · Error detecting aids − Production of dumps, traces, error messages, and other debugging and error detecting aids.
- · Coordination between other software and users − Coordination and assignment of compilers, interpreters, assemblers and other software to the various users of the computer systems.
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