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Functions of Operating System

Prerequisite – Introduction of Operating System – Set 1

An Operating System acts as a communication bridge (interface) between the user and computer
hardware. The purpose of an operating system is to provide a platform on which a user can execute
programs in a convenient and efficient manner.

An operating system is a piece of software that manages the allocation of computer hardware. The
coordination of the hardware must be appropriate to ensure the correct working of the computer
system and to prevent user programs from interfering with the proper working of the system.

Example: Just like a boss gives orders to his employee, in a similar way we request or pass our orders to
the Operating System. The main goal of the Operating System is to make the computer environment
more convenient to use and Secondary goal is to use the resources in the most efficient manner.

What is an Operating System?

An operating system is a program on which application programs are executed and acts as a
communication bridge (interface) between the user and the computer hardware.

The main task an operating system carries out is the allocation of resources and services, such as the
allocation of memory, devices, processors, and information. The operating system also includes
programs to manage these resources, such as a traffic controller, a scheduler, memory management
module, I/O programs, and a file system.

Important functions of an operating System:

The operating system uses password protection to protect user data and similar other techniques. it also
prevents unauthorized access to programs and user data.

Control over system performance –

Monitors overall system health to help improve performance. records the response time between
service requests and system response to having a complete view of the system health. This can help
improve performance by providing important information needed to troubleshoot problems.

Job accounting –

Operating system Keeps track of time and resources used by various tasks and users, this information
can be used to track resource usage for a particular user or group of users.

Error detecting aids –

The operating system constantly monitors the system to detect errors and avoid the malfunctioning of a
computer system.

Coordination between other software and users –

Operating systems also coordinate and assign interpreters, compilers, assemblers, and other software to
the various users of the computer systems.

Memory Management –

The operating system manages the Primary Memory or Main Memory. Main memory is made up of a
large array of bytes or words where each byte or word is assigned a certain address. Main memory is
fast storage and it can be accessed directly by the CPU. For a program to be executed, it should be first
loaded in the main memory. An Operating System performs the following activities for memory
management:

It keeps track of primary memory, i.e., which bytes of memory are used by which user program. The
memory addresses that have already been allocated and the memory addresses of the memory that has
not yet been used. In multiprogramming, the OS decides the order in which processes are granted
access to memory, and for how long. It Allocates the memory to a process when the process requests it
and deallocates the memory when the process has terminated or is performing an I/O operation.

Processor Management –

In a multi-programming environment, the OS decides the order in which processes have access to the
processor, and how much processing time each process has. This function of OS is called process
scheduling. An Operating System performs the following activities for processor management.

Keeps track of the status of processes. The program which performs this task is known as a traffic
controller. Allocates the CPU that is a processor to a process. De-allocates processor when a process is
no more required.

Device Management –

An OS manages device communication via their respective drivers. It performs the following activities for
device management. Keeps track of all devices connected to the system. designates a program
responsible for every device known as the Input/Output controller. Decides which process gets access to
a certain device and for how long. Allocates devices in an effective and efficient way. Deallocates devices
when they are no longer required.

File Management –

A file system is organized into directories for efficient or easy navigation and usage. These directories
may contain other directories and other files. An Operating System carries out the following file
management activities. It keeps track of where information is stored, user access settings and status of
every file, and more… These facilities are collectively known as the file system.

Moreover, Operating System also provides certain services to the computer system in one form or the
other.

The Operating System provides certain services to the users which can be listed in the following manner:
Program Execution: The Operating System is responsible for the execution of all types of programs
whether it be user programs or system programs. The Operating System utilizes various resources
available for the efficient running of all types of functionalities.

Handling Input/Output Operations: The Operating System is responsible for handling all sorts of inputs,
i.e, from the keyboard, mouse, desktop, etc. The Operating System does all interfacing in the most
appropriate manner regarding all kinds of Inputs and Outputs.

For example, there is a difference in the nature of all types of peripheral devices such as mice or
keyboards, the Operating System is responsible for handling data between them.

Manipulation of File System: The Operating System is responsible for making decisions regarding the
storage of all types of data or files, i.e, floppy disk/hard disk/pen drive, etc. The Operating System
decides how the data should be manipulated and stored.

Error Detection and Handling: The Operating System is responsible for the detection of any type of error
or bugs that can occur while any task. The well-secured OS sometimes also acts as a countermeasure for
preventing any sort of breach to the Computer System from any external source and probably handling
them.

Resource Allocation: The Operating System ensures the proper use of all the resources available by
deciding which resource to be used by whom for how much time. All the decisions are taken by the
Operating System.

Accounting: The Operating System tracks an account of all the functionalities taking place in the
computer system at a time. All the details such as the types of errors that occurred are recorded by the
Operating System.

Information and Resource Protection: The Operating System is responsible for using all the information
and resources available on the machine in the most protected way. The Operating System must foil an
attempt from any external resource to hamper any sort of data or information.

All these services are ensured by the Operating System for the convenience of the users to make the
programming task easier. All different kinds of Operating systems more or less provide the same
services.

Article Tags : GATE CSOperating Systems

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