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Comp Basics ... Operating Systems3

An operating system serves as an interface between software and computer hardware, managing resources and operations efficiently. Its objectives include providing a user-friendly interface, managing hardware resources, and ensuring fair resource sharing among users and programs. Key characteristics include memory management, processor management, device management, security, and error detection.

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2 views

Comp Basics ... Operating Systems3

An operating system serves as an interface between software and computer hardware, managing resources and operations efficiently. Its objectives include providing a user-friendly interface, managing hardware resources, and ensuring fair resource sharing among users and programs. Key characteristics include memory management, processor management, device management, security, and error detection.

Uploaded by

dondamy2
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Computer - Operating

System

The Operating System is a program with the


following features −
An operating system is a program that
acts as an interface between the
software and the computer hardware.
It is an integrated set of specialized
programs used to manage overall
resources and operations of the
computer.
It is a specialized software that controls
and monitors the execution of all other
programs that reside in the computer,
including application programs and other
system software.

Objectives of Operating System


The objectives of the operating system are −
To make the computer system
convenient to use in an efficient manner.
To hide the details of the hardware
resources from the users.
To provide users a convenient interface
to use the computer system.
To act as an intermediary between the
hardware and its users, making it easier
for the users to access and use other
resources.
To manage the resources of a computer
system.
To keep track of who is using which
resource, granting resource requests,
and mediating conflicting requests from
different programs and users.

To provide efficient and fair sharing of


resources among users and programs.

Characteristics of Operating
System
Here is a list of some of the most prominent
characteristic features of Operating Systems −
Memory Management − Keeps track of
the primary memory, i.e. what part of it is
in use by whom, what part is not in use,
etc. and allocates the memory when a
process or program requests it.
Processor Management − Allocates the
processor (CPU) to a process and
deallocates the processor when it is no
longer required.
Device Management − Keeps track of all
the devices. This is also called I/O
controller that decides which process
gets the device, when, and for how much
time.
File Management − Allocates and de-
allocates the resources and decides who
gets the resources.
Security − Prevents unauthorized access
to programs and data by means of
passwords and other similar techniques.
Job Accounting − Keeps track of time
and resources used by various jobs
and/or users.
Control Over System Performance −
Records delays between the request for
a service and from the system.
Interaction with the Operators −
Interaction may take place via the
console of the computer in the form of
instructions. The Operating System
acknowledges the same, does the
corresponding action, and informs the
operation by a display screen.

Error-detecting Aids − Production of


dumps, traces, error messages, and
other debugging and error-detecting
methods.
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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