Lesson 1 : Functions of Operating System

1. Define hardware
Hardware refers to the physical parts of the computer that can be seen and
touched .
Example : keyboard, monitor , printer

2. Define Software
Software refers to the instructions or programs that enhance the capability of the
hardware and directs them to perform specific types of activities.
Example : Operating System, Utility softwares, Device drivers , MS office.
Language processor .

3. Explain software

There are two types of software :

a) System software :

● Manages the hardware resources and other application software.

● It reads the data from the input devices and transfers the processed
information to the output devices.
Examples :
Operating system, Utility software, Device drivers.
Two types:
i) Operating system ( Windows , linux, Unix, mac os )
ii) Utilities ( Disk cleanup , Back up , compression )

b) Application software
● Used to perform specific tasks like doing calculations , creating images and
logos .
Examples:
Word, Powerpoint, Excel
Two types:
i) General purpose
ii) Special purpose

4. Define the Operating System.

● Operating system is the interface between the user and computer hardware as
the computer interprets the instructions given by the user with the help of OS .

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 Lesson 1 : Functions of Operating System

● Controls and manages the overall operations and internal working of the
computer.
● It provides a platform for running the application software .
Example :
MS DOS , Microsoft Windows , Unix.

5. What is BIOS? What is its role?

● BIOS stands for “Basic Input Output System “.
● Also known as bootstrap loader.
● Small memory chip on the motherboard.
● It loads the operating system into the computer’s memory(RAM).
● Starts the computer and checks if all the attachments are in place and optional.
● Takes care of booting and configuration of the hardware.

6. List out the functions of OS

● Process Management.
● Ensures that every process and application receives enough processing
time to function properly.
● Uses as many process cycles as possible for real-time work.

● Memory management.
● Manages the sharing of internal memory among multiple applications
● Keeps track of memory used by each process.
● It takes care that one process does not consume the memory allocated to
another process.
● Makes efficient usage of different types of memory ( RAM, Cache ) within
the system.

● File management.
● Keeps track of the information regarding the creation , deletion, transfer ,
copying, and storage of files in an organised manner.
● Maintains the integrity of the data stored in these files , including the file
directory structure.

● Device management.
● Coordinates and controls the various Input / Output (I/O) devices attached
to the computer system.

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 Lesson 1 : Functions of Operating System

● It handles the I/O operations of the computer system. It receives requests

from devices , performs a specific task , and forwards them to the
requesting process.

● Security and protection.

● Protects the resources and information stored on a computer system from
unauthorized access.
● They are usually built in modules.

● Job scheduling
Determines and maintains a specific order in which various jobs are
executed in the computer system.
Takes care of the processor time being allocated to the application based
on their priority.

● Provision of User Interface .

● Provides a systematic user interface that facilitates the interaction between
the user and a computer.
● It can be either CUI or GUI

7. Name the types of OS with examples

a) Single user , single-tasking.

● Allows one user to perform one task at a time.
● It was the initial version of the program.
● Occupies less space in memory .
● No longer in use due to their limited features.
Example :MS DOS , Palm OS

b) Single user, multi-tasking

● One user can run several programs at a time.ie the user can type in a word
processor while downloading a file from the internet.
● Commonly used in desktop and laptop computers.
Example : Windows , Linux , Mac OS

c) Multi User

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● Multiple users can access applications or resources that are running on a

single network server concurrently. The network is called a Terminal server.
● Commonly used in large organisations such as government offices,
universities.
● Examples of Multiuser OS : UNIX , Mainframe OS, Virtual Memory
System(VMS)
● Examples of network servers: Ubuntu server , Windows server .
These servers allow several users to simultaneously access the operating
system , applications and other resources.

d) Realtime
● Designed to handle real-time scenarios and problems .
● Has the capability to prioritise the processes , minimise the execution time and
work independently.
● Used where the operations are time bound and even a microsecond delay
would cause the system to fail.

Example : Air traffic control , robots, weapon systems , industrial control system .

Two types :
a) Hard real time system - Critical tasks are completed on time.
b) Soft real time system - Has limited utility than hard real time system .

e) Distributed
● Designed to connect computers that are located in different geographical
locations interconnected by a network.
● It controls these interconnected systems and makes them appear as a single
computer .
● All linked computers can access data software.

Example : Solaris , Micros

8. Real time OS Vs distributed OS

Real time OS Distributed OS

Designed to handle real time scenarios Designed to connect computers

and problems that are located in different
geographical locations
interconnected by a network

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 Lesson 1 : Functions of Operating System

Used where the operations are time Used when we want to make
bound and even a microsecond delay would interconnected computers to
cause the system to fail. access data and software
irrespective of their location.

Example: Example:
Air traffic control , robots, weapon systems , Solaris , Micros
industrial control systems .

9. What type of OS is Windows ? Substantiate

Windows is a single user multitasking OS ,where the user can run several programs
at a time. A windows user can do several tasks like working on a word processor
, hearing music and downloading files from the internet at the same time .

10. Define User interface (UI)

● User interface refers to the hardware software mechanism by which a user
interacts with the computer.
● Two types of UI are Character User Interface and Graphical User Interface

11.What are the 2 types of UI

a) Character User Interface (CUI)
● Users must type commands to interact with the user.
● The modified version of CUI is also called the Command Line Interface (CLI) .
● Not a good choice for beginners as they have to memorise commands.
● Example : MS DOS , Windows command prompt,UNIX

b)Graphical User Interface (GUI)

● Graphic-based and interactive.
● Users can use a mouse , keyboard to interact with the user.
● More user-friendly as we need not memorise commands. The user uses menus,
dialog boxes and icons to communicate with the system.
● Example : Windows ( most popular)

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 Lesson 1 : Functions of Operating System

12. List out 5 advantages of GUI over CUI

(Text book)

Task:
1) Explain the concept of software and hardware using mobile phones. How do they
compliment each other?
2) Explain the concept of OS using the role of a school principal.
3) Compare the role of a teacher to that of Operating system
4) _________ , __________ and ____________ are managed better in Multitasking
OS.
5) Miss Abi is a beginner in computers . Which OS can she choose ? why? (p13)
6) 2 examples of GUI based OS for desktop environment
7) 2 examples of GUI examples for smartphones.
8) 2 DOS commands and their uses.
9) What is multi-tasking ? What is a multitasking OS ? 2 Examples of Multi user OS.