Session 4-Operating System Overview
Session 4-Operating System Overview
INTRODUCTION TO OPERATING
SYSTEM
College of Education
School of Continuing and Distance Education
2016/2017
Session Overview
• This session will enable students understand and
explain what an operating system is.
• Understand the purpose of an operating system.
• Be able to compare and contrast the various operating
systems over the years.
• Speculate about future operating systems
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Session Two Outline
The key topics to be covered in the session are as follows :
2.1 Definition (Defining) an operating system
2.2 Major objectives of an operating system
2.3 Evolution of an operating system
2.4 Major achievements/importance of an operating
system
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Reading List
• Read Chapter 2 of Recommended Text – Williams
stalling, Operating Systems, 6th Edition page 45
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Topic One
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Sample Question
• Can a computer run without an operating
system? Explain?
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Four main structural elements
• Processor: Controls the operation of the computer and
performs its data processing functions.
• Main memory: Stores data and programs. This memory is
typically volatile, that is, when the computer is shut down,
the contents of the memory are lost.
• I/O modules: Move data between the computer and its
external environment. The external environment consists of
a variety of devices, including secondary memory devices
(e. g., disks), communications equipment, and terminals.
• System bus: Provides for communication among
processors, main memory, and I/O modules.
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Topic Two
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Topic Three
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Topic Four
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Major Achievements
• The process: The duty of the process in relation to process
management is to fetch and execute user processes or programs. This is
achieved through time sharing.
• Memory management: The operating system manages and
controls storage allocation efficiently. This helps increase CPU
utilization.
• Data protection and security: The operating system is
concerned with protecting computer systems and information stored in
them.
• System structure: Designing operating systems to fit different
modules/computer hardware architecture.
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References
• http://internationalprogrammersday.org/history-of-op
erating-systems
/
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