The Functions of An Operating System

The functions of an Operating System
# An operating system is the core software (collections of applications) that allows a computer to run as
a useful device; it manages the hardware, the user interface and all other software running on the
computer making it a practical machine.
The operating system has four main parts: (no matter the type, they all share these 4 main components):
 The KERNEL
 The DEVICE DRIVERS
 The USER INTERFACE
 The SYSTEM UTILITIES
Types of operating systems

No. Function Description
1 Manages processor Decides processing time for the execution of tasks (multi-tasking) & scheduling
Handles interruptions to running processes.
2 Manages memory  Programs are loaded into the memory address.
 The allocation and management of memory space is controlled by the operating
system. Memory spaces are later freed for reuse.
 Dedicates virtual memory that can be used to compensate for the lack of RAM.
3 Manages peripherals Uses device drivers to communicate with hardware
Manages input and output signals to I/O devices. Data to be sent to a device is
stored in buffer of CPU so CPU can continue with other tasks.
Writes to peripheral devices such as storage attached to the computer
4 Handle utility programs Tools to organise, and manager the hardware:
File management (backing store), defragmenter, Firewall, auto updates/installers,
antivirus, clipboard manager, system monitor, encryption and file compression.
5 Networking Manages ingoing and outgoing signals from networks – interacting with other
computers via cable/WIFI
6 Handles security Prevents unauthorised access to user files by assigning access rights
Protects user accounts with logins (usernames and passwords)
7 User interface Provides a user interface so it is easy to interact with the computer:
WIMP (Windows, icons, menus, pointers)
Touch gestures
1 – Single user, single application

These operating systems are only capable of running one application at a time for
only one user at a time. An example of this would be on a basic phone or an mp3
player.
The components tend to be very basic and only a small amount of main
memory is needed.
2 - Multi-tasking operating system

These operating systems are (appear to be) capable of running multiple programs at one time.
Compared to a single user/single application operating system. It is quite possible for a multitasking
computer to have multiple gigabytes of RAM (2GB to 16GB typically on a single user machine).
a) Single-user (& multi-tasking)
This is designed so that only one user can use the computer resources at any given time. It can
appear to run multiple applications at the same time. For example: word processing while
playing music.
This is the typical operating system for a personal computer.
Examples: Windows, Linux, Mac OS
b) Multi-user (& multi-tasking)

Usually found on large scale mainframes/supercomputers where many users are accessing the
same resource simultaneously. They are highly sophisticated and designed to handle many users
running multiple programs on the same computer at one time.
Additional requirements the operating system now must handle:
 Each user logged onto the system, their workspace and so on.
 Allocate resources to the jobs they want to run.
 Keep logs of how much processing time and resources they
use
 Work out the most efficient use of computer processing cycles
 Maintain security
When a program is being executed in memory, this is called a 'process'. You can have many people using
the same process at the same time. Each person is running a 'thread' of execution within the process.
This makes the processing very complicated as there could be hundreds of processes running in the
memory and each having many threads. The complicated task managing is known as scheduling.
Examples: UNIX, Linux, IBM's z/OS
3 - Distributed operating system

When a group of computers are combined to work on one particular task. A single task is split up into
smaller tasks that are assigned to run on each individual computer. The results are then gathered at the
end. A distributed operating system coordinates the activity of many computers, presenting them to the
end user as if they were one single system.
These are useful in the film and CGI (computer-generated-graphics) industry. Rendering can take vast
amounts of processing time.
A render farm is a large collection of computers networked together and controlled by a distributed
operating system. Individual film frames can be rendered on each computer and gathered at the end.
4 - Embedded operating system
An embedded operating system is a specialized operating system for use in the computers that are
integrated into larger electrical systems. The embedded computer - running an embedded operating
system specialised for only one particular need of the computer - provides data processing power to
handle incoming data.
They are specifically configured for a certain hardware configuration. These are designed to be compact,
resource efficient and reliable. The OS is installed on an internal memory chip rather than a hard disk
Examples: Printers, washing machines, mp3 players, radios, Symbian used in cell phones (Nokia’s) and Palm
OS on PDA’s.
5 - Real-time operating system

A real-time operating system is designed to handle input data, typically without buffering
delays, within a guaranteed latency (time). They found in systems which aim to control a series
of actions by using a computer (embedded computers).
The operating system carries out operations in real-time without large delay. It must run and so process at
guaranteed times.
There can be dozens of rapidly changing input signals. It must take all these inputs and process them to produce a set
of outputs that control another device in designated orders with thin specified time windows, instead of
dynamically switching between processes based on resource availability.
This sometimes means it will process inputs with little noticeable delay, almost instantaneously. This is useful when
there are safety risks associated with delay. For example, life or death situations – planes, braking systems, nuclear
power plants. They are also common in car engines, e.g. for managing brakes, exhaust and fuel injection in
carburettor.
However, real-time does not necessarily mean fast. Traffic lights use real-time operating systems but they will not act
instantly, they act within seconds.
Real-time just means that they process and handle incoming inputs, typically without buffering delays and return an
output in a guaranteed amount of time.

The Functions of An Operating System

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Functions of An Operating System

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

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

The Functions of An Operating System

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The functions of an Operating System

Types of operating systems

1 – Single user, single application

2 - Multi-tasking operating system

This is the typical operating system for a personal computer.

Examples: Windows, Linux, Mac OS

b) Multi-user (& multi-tasking)

Additional requirements the operating system now must handle:

Examples: UNIX, Linux, IBM's z/OS

3 - Distributed operating system

4 - Embedded operating system

5 - Real-time operating system

You might also like

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.