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Operating System

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16 views

Operating System

Uploaded by

Aroma Khan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Operating System

Operating System can be defined as an interface between user and the hardware. It provides an environment to the
user so that, the user can perform its task in convenient and efficient way.

An operating system (OS) is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer by
a boot program, manages all of the other application programs in a computer. The application
programs make use of the operating system by making requests for services through a defined
application program interface (API). In addition, users can interact directly with the operating
system through a user interface, such as a command-line interface (CLI) or a graphical UI (GUI).
A Computer System consists of:

o Users (people who are using the computer)


o Application Programs (Compilers, Databases, Games, Video player, Browsers, etc.)
o System Programs (Shells, Editors, Compilers, etc.)
o Operating System ( A special program which acts as an interface between user and hardware )
o Hardware ( CPU, Disks, Memory, etc)
Some examples of operating systems include:

 Microsoft Windows: A popular operating system that comes pre-loaded on most computers, except
Apple products.
 Windows versions and its features

Windows 1- November 1985


The first version of Windows

Windows 2- December 1987


Windows 2 with overlapping windows.

Windows 3- 1990
Windows 3.0 got colourful.

Windows 3.1
Windows 3.1 with Minesweeper.- 1992

Windows 95
Windows 95: oh hello Start menu- 1995

Windows 98
Windows 98, the last great DOS-based Windows-1998

Windows 2000
Windows 2000 was ME's enterprise twin.

Windows XP
Windows XP still survives to this day.

Windows Vista-2007
Windows 7
Windows 7 was everything Windows Vista should have been.-2009

Windows 8
Windows 8 focused more on touch than a keyboard and mouse.- 2012

Windows 10-2015

Windows 11-2021

 Apple macOS: An operating system that comes pre-loaded on all Apple computers, including the
Macbook, Macbook Pro, and Macbook Air.
 Linux: A Unix-like operating system that's popular on enterprise systems and servers, and is also
used on mobile devices and other computer systems.
 Google's Android OS: An open-source, Unix-based operating system that's popular on mobile
devices.
 Chrome OS: An operating system that's more accessible to general users.
 Ubuntu: An operating system that's oriented more toward tech-savvy users.

Software is used to control a computer. There are different types of software that can
run on a computer: system software, utility software, and application software.
System software is a type of computer program that manages a computer's hardware and
application programs. It acts as an interface between the hardware and the user
applications. The operating system is a well-known example of system software

Application software is a type of computer program that performs a specific


personal, educational, and business function. Each application is designed to assist
end-users in accomplishing a variety of tasks, which may be related to productivity,
creativity, or communication.
Utility Software refers to a type of system software that is designed to help analyse,
configure, optimise and maintain a computer. It is used to support the computer
infrastructure, distinguishing it from application software which is aimed at directly
performing tasks that benefit ordinary users.

Difference Between System Software and Application Software


Aspect System Software Application Software
Manages and controls computer Performs specific tasks for end
Purpose
hardware and resources users
Design General-purpose software Specific-purpose software
Interfaces between hardware and Interfaces between system
Interaction
application software software and end users
Operating systems, device drivers, Web browsers, word processors,
Examples
utility programs spreadsheet software
Enables application programs to run Performs specialized tasks such as
Functionality
and interact correctly data organization
Programming Typically written in low-level Usually written in high-level
Language languages languages
Smaller in size compared to Bigger in size due to its specific
Size
application software functionalities
May have varying speeds
Speed Fast operating speed
depending on the specific task
User Interaction Less interactive with end users More interactive with end users
Importance for Essential for the computer to Enhances the computer’s
Computer function correctly usefulness but not essential

Functions of an Operating System:


 Process Management: Manages processes, including scheduling, creation, and termination of processes,
and handling multitasking.
 Memory Management: Allocates and deallocates memory spaces as needed by different programs,
ensuring efficient memory use.
 File System Management: Manages file operations such as reading, writing, and accessing files, along
with organizing directories and maintaining file security.
 Device Management: Manages hardware devices through device drivers, facilitating communication
between the hardware and the software.
 Input/Output Management: Coordinates input and output devices, ensuring smooth data flow between
the OS and external devices (keyboard, mouse, etc.).
 Security and Access Control: Protects system resources and data by enforcing permissions, access
control, and ensuring system security.
 User Interface (UI) Management: Provides an interface for users to interact with the system, like
Command Line Interface (CLI) or Graphical User Interface (GUI).
 Resource Allocation: Allocates system resources (CPU, memory, I/O) efficiently among users and
applications.
 Error Detection and Handling: Monitors the system for errors and ensures corrective actions are taken
when errors occur.
 Networking: Manages communication between devices on the network, including internet connectivity
and data transfer.
 Multitasking and Multithreading: Allows multiple programs to run simultaneously and manages
multiple threads within a program.

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