Introduction to Operating System (OS)

BY PRIYANKA GUPTA
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPT OF CEA, GLA UNIVERSITY

Course Content:
What is an OS.
What are its key functions.
What are the popular types of OS.
Basics of UNIX and Windows.
Advantages of open source OS like Linux.
Networks OS.

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 What is an Operating System?
Computer System = Hardware + Software
Software = Application Software + System Software(OS)
An Operating System is a system Software that acts as an
intermediary/interface between a user of a computer and the computer
hardware.
Operating system goals:
Primary Goal
 Execute user programs and make solving user problems easier
 Make the computer system convenient to use
Secondary Goal
 Use the computer hardware in an efficient manner

The Structure of Computer Systems

 Accessing computer resources is divided into layers.
 Each layer is isolated and only interacts directly with the layer below or above it.
 If we install a new hardware device
 No need to change anything about the user/applications.
 However, you do need to make changes to the operating system.
 You need to install the device drivers that the operating system will use to control
the new device.
 If we install a new software application
 No need to make any changes to your hardware.
 But we need to make sure the application is supported by the operating system
 user will need to learn how to use the new application.
 If we change the operating system
 Need to make sure that both applications and hardware will compatible with the
new operating system.
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 CPU – Central Processing Unit
 This is the brain of your computer.
 It performs all of the calculations.
 In order to do its job, the CPU needs commands to perform, and data to
work with.
 The instructions and data travel to and from the CPU on the system bus.
 The operating system provides rules for how that information gets back and
forth, and how it will be used by the CPU.

RAM – Random Access Memory

 This is like a desk, or a workspace, where your computer temporarily stores all of the
information (data) and instructions (software or program code) that it is currently using.
 Each RAM chip contains millions of address spaces.
 Each address space is the same size, and has its own unique identifying number (address).
 The operating system provides the rules for using these memory spaces, and controls
storage and retrieval of information from RAM.
 Device drivers for RAM chips are included with the operating system.
Problem: If RAM needs an operating system to work, and an operating system needs RAM in
order to work, how does your computer activate its RAM to load the operating system?

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 Operating System Mode

 The User Mode is concerned with the actual

interface between the user and the system.
 It controls things like running applications
and accessing files.

 The Kernel Mode is concerned with everything

running in the background.
 It controls things like accessing system
resources, controlling hardware functions and
processing program instructions.
 System calls are used to change mode
from User to Kernel.

Kernel
Kernel is a software code that reside in central core of OS. It has complete control
over system.
When operation system boots, kernel is first part of OS to load in main memory.
Kernel remains in main memory for entire duration of computer session. The kernel
code is usually loaded in to protected area of memory.
Kernel performs it’s task like executing processes and handling interrupts in kernel
space.
User performs it’s task in user area of memory.
This memory separation is made in order to prevent user data and kernel data from
interfering with each other.
 Kernel does not interact directly with user, but it interacts using SHELL and other
programs and hardware.

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 Kernel cont…
Kernel includes:-
1. Scheduler: It allocates the Kernel’s processing time to various processes.
2. Supervisor: It grants permission to use computer system resources to each
process.
3. Interrupt handler : It handles all requests from the various hardware
devices which compete for kernel services.
4. Memory manager : allocates space in memory for all users of kernel
service.
kernel provides services for process management, file management, I/O
management, memory management.
System calls are used to provide these type of services.

Bus: The electrically conducting path along which data is transmitted inside any digital
electronic device.
A Computer bus consists of a set of parallel conductors, which may be conventional wires,
copper tracks on a PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, or microscopic aluminum trails on the surface
of a silicon chip.
ypes of Computer Bus
There are a variety of buses found inside the computer.
Data Bus: The data bus allows data to travel back and forth between the microprocessor (CPU)
and memory (RAM).
Address Bus: The address bus carries information about the location of data in memory.
Control Bus : The control bus carries the control signals that make sure everything is flowing smoothly
from place to place.
Expansion Bus: If your computer has expansion slots, there’s an expansion bus.

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 Types of Operating System
Operating Systems have evolved in past years. It went through several changes before getting its original
form. These changes in the operating system are known as the evolution of operating systems. OS
improve itself with the invention of new technology. Basically , OS added the feature of new technology
and making itself more powerful. Let us see the evolution of operating system year-wise in detail:
• No OS – (0s to 1940s)
• Batch Processing Systems -(1940s to 1950s)
• Multiprogramming Systems -(1950s to 1960s)
• Time-Sharing Systems -(1960s to 1970s)
• Introduction of GUI -(1970s to 1980s)
• Networked Systems – (1980s to 1990s)
• Mobile Operating Systems – (Late 1990s to Early 2000s)
• AI Integration – (2010s to ongoing)