Chapter 4 - Operating Systems

What is an operating system?
An operating system is a program that acts as an interface between the user

and the computer hardware and controls the execution of all kinds of
programs.
Following are some of important functions of an operating System.
1. Memory Management
2. Processor Management
3. Device Management
4. File Management
5. Security
6. Control over system performance
7. Job accounting
8. Error detecting aids
9. 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
Operating System does the following activities for memory management −
CPU. For a program to be executed, it must in the main memory. An
• Keeps tracks of primary memory, i.e., what part of it are in use by whom,
what part are 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 multiprogramming environment, the OS decides which process gets the
processor when and for how much time. This function is called process
management −
scheduling. An Operating System does the following activities for processor
• 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
drivers. It does the following activities for device management −

An Operating System manages device communication via their respective
• 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
performs −
Following are some of the important activities that an Operating System
• 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 softwares and users − Coordination
and assignment of compilers, interpreters, assemblers and other
software to the various users of the computer systems.
Types of Operating Systems:
• GUI (Graphical User Interface)
A GUI (Graphic User Interface) is a graphical representation in which
the users can interact with software or devices through graphical icons.
Windows, Mac etc are example of GUI. GUI’s take bigger memory
space upto GBs.
• CLI (Command Line Interface)
A CLI (Command Line Interface) is a console or text based
representation in which the user types the commands to operate the
software or devices. DoS (Disk Operating System) is an example of CLI.
CLI’s are very fast and take smaller space in memory.
If we talk about ease of use, the new users will pick up a GUI much
faster than a CLI. In a CLI, new users have some difficulty operating it
because they are not familiar with the commands.
Windows
This course will concentrate on learning basic operations of windows 8
operating system and the reason is that it is a GUI for ease of use and
Windows is the most accessible OS in our country with less cost.

Chapter 4 - Operating Systems

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 4 - Operating Systems

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chapter 4 - Operating Systems

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What is an operating system?

An operating system is a program that acts as an interface between the user

• Keeps tracks of processor and status of process. The program

drivers. It does the following activities for device management −

• Security − By means of password and similar other techniques, it

You might also like