Basics of operating system
Hi all,
we all got first question, what exactly an operating system is?
Operating system provides the interface between the user and hardware system.
Is it really required ?
Many people thinks, why user cannot communicate directly with the hardware?
Of course, it is possible to communicate the user with the hardware directly without the help of the operating system. As we all know the hardware requires the machine language instructions to perform the execution of the program. In absence of operating system the user has to manage the programs.
So, to remove the extra overhead of the user while executing the multiple programs on computer at a time, OPERATING SYSTEM is a better solution.
Definitions
An operating system is a program that controls the execution of application programs and acts as an interface between the user of a computer and the computer hardware.
An operating system is concerned with the allocation of resources and services, such as memory, processors, devices, and information. The operating system correspondingly includes programs to manage these resources, such as a traffic controller, a scheduler, memory management module, I/O programs, and a file system.
Operating system controls program execution to prevent the errors and improper use of the computer.
Functions and Goals
Many peoples have confusion about the functions and goals. Lets discuss here.
Goals
Primary goal of operating system is to make a computer more convenient to use.
An OS allows the computer system resources to be used in an efficient manner.
An OS should be constructed in such a way as to permit the effective development, testing and introduction of new system functions without at the same time interfering with service.
Functions
Process Management
Memory Management
I/O Device Management
File Management
Network Management
Security and Protection
These are the functions of the operating system which are the topics of our latter discussion.
Following diagram shows the conceptual view of the computer system:
Computer system architecture is divided into four components :
Hardware — Provides basic computing resources such as CPU, memory , I/O devices, etc.
Operating System — Manages the resources of the computer as well as act as an intermediate between hardware and user (application program).
Application Program — It defines the ways in which system resources are used to solve the computing problems of user.
User — It can be anything like people,machine,etc.
Types of Operating System
Batch Operating System- Sequence of jobs in a program on a computer without manual interventions.
Time sharing operating System- allows many users to share the computer resources.
Distributed operating System- Manages a group of different computers and make appear to be a single computer.
Network operating system- computers running in different operating system can participate in common network (It is used for security purpose).
Real time operating system-meant applications to fix the deadlines.
Examples of Operating System
Windows (GUI based, PC)
GNU/Linux (Personal, Workstations, ISP, File and print server, Three-tier client/Server)
macOS (Macintosh), used for Apple’s personal computers and work stations (MacBook, iMac).
Android (Google’s Operating System for smartphones/tablets/smartwatches)
iOS (Apple’s OS for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch)
