An Introduction to Operating Systems

Background
Software is the general term used to describe all the programs that run on a computer.
There are two main categories of software: system software and application software.

System software performs tasks needed to control or maintain the operations of the
computer and its devices. Systems software is typically classified as follows:
● System management programs are required to run the computer - operating system
● System support programs provide other useful functions for operating the computer -
utility programs e.g. backup
● System Development Programs which enable software to be produced and maintained -
compilers, interpreters, assemblers, library programs e.g. code generation libraries

Definition & Role of The OS

An Operating system is system software that controls the execution of all other programs
and acts as an intermediary between users and the computer.

An operating system (OS):

controls the execution of all other programs…
… contains instructions that coordinates all the activities among computer resources:
o it controls the computer’s use of its hardware resources such as memory and
disk storage space so that the computer operates in the way intended by the
user, and in a systematic reliable and efficient manner;
o It directs the fundamental operations of a computer, such as displaying
information on the screen, storing data on disks, sending data to the printer,
interpreting commands entered by users, and communicating with peripheral
devices.
and acts as an intermediary between users and the computer…
… provides an interface between the user, the application software, and the computer's
hardware:
o It allows the user to perform tasks without having to know how they are done.
For example, a user can give a command to save a file without having to know
where the file will be stored or how it will be retrieved again.

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The operating system is therefore a resource manager and an interface.

The operating system that a computer uses is sometimes called the platform. Application
programs are usually written to work with a platform. A cross-platform program is one that
runs the same on multiple operating systems

FUNCTIONS OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM

In general, operating systems perform all the following functions:
✔Provides internal and external services:
The OS provides external services that help users start programs, manage stored data,
and maintain security. The computer user does not control these external functions.

The OS also provides internal services, i.e. it works behind the scenes while the
application software is running to perform tasks essential to the efficient functioning of
the computer system. These internal services are not generally under the user’s control,
but instead are controlled by the OS itself.

✔Controls basic input and output:

An OS controls the flow of data into and out of the computer, as well as to and from
peripheral devices. It routes input to areas of the computer for processing and routes
output to the screen, a printer, or any other output device at your request.
✔Resource allocation and scheduling:
An OS allocates system resources so that processes run smoothly; it decides which
resources will be used by a process and for how long. While one process is running, the
OS schedules the use of CPU time and input/output/storage devices for other processes.
It also ensures that adequate memory is available for each process that is running and
makes sure that the processor quickly executes each program instruction.

✔Manages files:
An OS keeps track of the data stored on disks. Think of your disks as filing cabinets, your
data as papers stored in file folders, and the operating system as the filing clerk. The filing
clerk takes care of filing a folder when you finish using it. When you need something from
your filing cabinet, you ask the filing clerk to get it. The filing clerk knows where to find
the folder.

✔Detects equipment failure:

An OS monitors the status of critical computer components to detect failures that affect
processing. When you turn on your computer, the operating system checks each of the
electronic components and takes a quick inventory of the storage devices. If a component

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 inside of your computer fails, the operating system displays a message identifying the
problem and may not let you continue until the problem is fixed.

✔Maintains security:
An OS helps maintain the security of the data on the computer system. For example, it
might not allow you to access the computer system unless you have a user ID and a
password.

✔Provides an Interface for the user and OS to communicate with each other:
An OS provides an interface with which a user can interact. An OS allows the user to
enter commands using an input device such as the keyboard, mouse or touch screen.
Operating systems may be differentiated by its user interface (CLI, menu-driven
interface, GUI)

✔Provides utilities:
To keep the computer system in good working order, most OS provide utilities to do things
such as backing up files or checking the disk for errors.

Over the course of the next few weeks we will be looking in greater detail at the following
functions:
● Booting ● User Interface Provider
● Process Management ● Device Management
● Memory Management ● Networking capabilities
● File Management & Security

CHARACTERISTICS OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM

Operating systems should have the following features:
o Efficiency - in terms of processor and resource utilisation, throughput of jobs, response
time for multi-access systems, turn-round time etc.;
o Reliability - in terms of being error-free and handling all possibilities in the execution of
processes;
o Maintainability - in terms of enhancing facilities, modularity, correction of bugs etc.;
o Small size - in terms of the amount of memory and backing store required.

OPERATING SYSTEM CONCEPTS

Structure of an OS
Most OS are designed and written in modular form consisting of:

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✔a small central core (a.k.a. control program, monitor, nucleus, kernel, supervisor,
executive) that contains routines which are very time-critical, (e.g. the interrupt handler
and low-level scheduler or dispatcher).

The kernel is said to be memory resident, i.e. it must be stored in main memory and
remain there whilst other programs are being executed; and maintains a variety of data
structures to keep track of the status of other jobs running on the system. The kernel
manages memory and devices, maintains the computer's clock, starts applications, and
assigns the computer's resources, such as devices, programs, data and information.

✔an outer layer containing the other routines which make up the operating system, and
these are transient i.e. called into memory when necessary.

Process
The basic unit of software with which the operating system interacts is the process. In a
simple definition, a process is a program in execution (running on the CPU). More generally,
a process is a piece of software that performs some action and can be controlled by a user,
by other applications, or by the operating system.

Single program vs multiprogramming

A single program operating system allows only one program to run at a time. This means that
if you are working in a spreadsheet and want to write a memo, you must shut down the
spreadsheet application and open a word processor!

Multiprogramming is the apparent simultaneous execution of two or more programs. A

multiprogramming OS enables two or more programs to be held in memory at the same time,
with each program being given a small amount of processor time before moving on to the
next. Multiprogramming facilitates low priority programs being able to exploit processor
times unused by higher priority programs. This system makes efficient use of processor time
because when one program is held up waiting for I/O, the processor can be allocated to
another program. The simplest form of multiprogramming is multitasking which allows a
single user to be able to switch between one open program and another. Operating systems
get the most from their processors through multitasking.

CPU Time
Time in the CPU is divided into time slices or quantum which are measured in milliseconds. A
single computer can execute only one process at a time. However, its internal processing
speed is so fast that several processes can be allocated “slices” of CPU time in rotation,
making it appear as though several processes are being executed at once.