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Operating System (OS)
What is an Operating System (OS)?
An Operating System (OS) is the software that acts as an
intermediary between the computer hardware and the user. It manages hardware resources and provides services to run applications. Example: Think of an OS as the manager of a restaurant. The manager doesn’t cook the food (hardware), but they organize everything so that the kitchen (hardware) runs smoothly, ensuring that customers (users) get their food (applications) on time. Why do we need an Operating System?
Without an OS, interacting with a computer would be
much more complex because you'd have to manually manage all tasks. Key Functions of an OS: 1. Process Management:The OS manages the execution of programs (called processes) by allocating resources like CPU time.
Example: Think of the OS as a scheduler at a doctor’s office.
The doctor (CPU) has many patients (processes) to see, and the scheduler ensures each patient gets time with the doctor without clashes. 2. Memory Management:The OS keeps track of which memory parts are used by which processes and allocates memory efficiently.
Example: Consider the OS like a hotel receptionist managing
room bookings. The receptionist ensures that rooms (memory) are not double-booked and assigns them efficiently based on availability 3. Device Management:The OS manages hardware devices like printers, keyboards, and storage.
Example: Imagine a concert where the OS is the conductor
and all the musical instruments (devices) need to be coordinated to work in harmony. 4. User Interface (UI):
The OS provides an interface (like Windows or macOS) for
users to interact with the computer.
Example:The OS is like a smartphone’s touch interface that
allows users to access apps and perform actions without knowing how the internal components work. Types of Operating Systems:
There are various types of OS designed for different tasks.
• 1. Batch OS: Processes jobs in batches with no user interaction (like
old mainframe systems).
• 2. Time-Sharing OS: Allows multiple users to share system
resources at the same time (like modern computers).
• 3. Real-Time OS: Ensures that tasks are completed within a specific
time frame, critical in systems like air traffic control. Importance of an Operating System
Without an OS, users would need to manually communicate with
the hardware, which would be extremely difficult. The OS simplifies this process, making it user-friendly. Examples of Operating Systems
Common examples of operating systems include:
Windows: Most common in personal computers.
Linux: Used in servers and for tech enthusiasts.
macOS: Used in Apple computers.
Android & iOS: Operating systems for mobile phones.