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Concepts of Operating Systems

The document outlines the key characteristics and objectives of operating systems, including resource management, multitasking, and security. It describes the roles of the kernel, system calls, and shells in facilitating user interaction and managing system resources. Additionally, it traces the evolution of operating systems from early batch processing systems to modern systems with advanced features like virtualization and cloud computing.

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3 views2 pages

Concepts of Operating Systems

The document outlines the key characteristics and objectives of operating systems, including resource management, multitasking, and security. It describes the roles of the kernel, system calls, and shells in facilitating user interaction and managing system resources. Additionally, it traces the evolution of operating systems from early batch processing systems to modern systems with advanced features like virtualization and cloud computing.

Uploaded by

mwendedamaris1
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Concepts of Operating Systems

Characteristics:

1. Resource Management: The OS manages hardware resources such as the CPU,


memory, and storage devices, ensuring that each application and user has fair access.
2. Multitasking: Supports running multiple processes simultaneously, allowing users to
perform several tasks at once.
3. User Interface: Provides a user interface, which can be command-line based (CLI) or
graphical (GUI), for interacting with the system.
4. Process Management: Manages the lifecycle of processes, including creation,
scheduling, and termination.
5. Memory Management: Handles the allocation and deallocation of memory space as
needed by programs.
6. File System Management: Manages files and directories on storage devices, providing
mechanisms for storing, retrieving, and organizing data.
7. Device Management: Manages and controls hardware devices through device drivers
and controllers.
8. Security and Access Control: Protects data and resources by implementing security
policies and access control mechanisms.

Objectives/Goals:

1. Efficient Resource Utilization: Maximize the utilization of hardware resources while


maintaining system performance.
2. User Convenience: Provide an intuitive interface and facilitate user interaction with the
computer.
3. Reliability and Stability: Ensure the system operates reliably and can recover from
errors or failures.
4. Security: Protect the system and data from unauthorized access and potential threats.
5. Process and Memory Management: Efficiently handle multiple processes and manage
memory allocation to avoid conflicts and ensure smooth operation.

Kernel: The Kernel is the core component of an operating system. It operates in a privileged
mode and has direct access to hardware resources. The kernel's main responsibilities include:

 Process Management: Handling process scheduling, execution, and termination.


 Memory Management: Managing system memory and virtual memory.
 Device Management: Interfacing with hardware devices through device drivers.
 System Calls: Providing an interface for user applications to request services from the
OS.
System Call: A System Call is a mechanism that allows user-level applications to request
services from the operating system's kernel. System calls provide an interface for programs to
interact with hardware and system resources. Examples include:

 File Operations: Open, read, write, and close files.


 Process Control: Create, terminate, and manage processes.
 Memory Management: Allocate and deallocate memory.
 Communication: Send and receive messages between processes.

Shell: A Shell is a user interface that allows users to interact with the operating system. It can
be:

 Command-Line Interface (CLI): Allows users to type commands to perform various


tasks. Examples include Bash in Unix/Linux and Command Prompt in Windows.
 Graphical User Interface (GUI): Provides a visual interface with windows, icons, and
menus for user interaction. Examples include Windows Explorer and macOS Finder.

Evolution of Operating Systems

The evolution of operating systems reflects advancements in technology and changes in user
requirements. Key phases include:

1. Early Systems (1950s-1960s): Early systems were simple and primarily batch processing
systems with minimal user interaction.
2. Time-Sharing Systems (1960s-1970s): Introduced multitasking and interactive
computing, allowing multiple users to share system resources simultaneously.
3. Personal Computers (1970s-1980s): The rise of personal computers led to the
development of user-friendly operating systems like MS-DOS and early versions of
Windows and macOS.
4. Networked and Distributed Systems (1980s-1990s): The growth of networking led to
the development of systems capable of handling network operations and distributed
computing.
5. Modern Operating Systems (2000s-Present): Focus on advanced features like
virtualization, cloud computing, enhanced security, and support for mobile and embedded
devices.

Operating System Structures

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