Mr.

Justine Kemhe
Msc, BSc.
Operating System
 It is a set of computer programs that runs and controls
computing resources (hardware and application software) and
acts as an interface between computer user and hardware.
 It is the most important software that runs a computer to
manage and control its resources and operations.
 It relieves the user from dealing with the complexities of
programs and hardware.
 The OS provides the means for proper use of these resources.
 No any application software or hardware can be utilized if a
computer is not installed with an operating system.
 Different operating systems provide different ways for users to
tell the hardware to perform some task.
Cont. …
 OS forms a layer of software whose function is to provide user
programs with a better, simpler, cleaner model of the computer
and to handle managing all computing resources.

 The OS executes in the kernel (supervisor) mode in which it has

complete access to all hardware and can execute any instruction
the machine is capable of executing.

 All other user programs execute in user mode in which they have
limited (subset) of instructions to execute.

 The OS runs on the bare hardware and provides the base for
other user programs.
Cont..
 Operating systems are huge, complex, hard to
write and long lived. They contain several millions
of lines of codes.
 This explains why OS takes long periods of time to
evolve.
 The OS is intimately tied to the hardware of the
computer it runs and it must know a great deal of
them.
 The central part of the OS is called kernel

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Cont.….
 OS for different devices are designed to achieve
different goals, some to be more convenient,
others to be more efficient while others to be both
more convenient and efficient.
 Since OS is a large and complex software, it is
created piece by piece and joined together in away
that all components can efficiently recognize and
communicate with each other.

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Cont.…
 Desktop operating systems are designed to have high
convenience and performance with little attention on resource
utilization.

 Mainframe and minicomputers operating systems are designed

to maximize resource utilization since many users are connected
to them through personal computers (terminals) in order to use
its limited resources.

 These operating systems ensure that all resources such as

memory, CPU time, I/O system etc are used efficiently and that
no any user takes more than its fair share.

 OS runs all the time when the computer is on.

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Cont..
 Operating systems of some of the embedded computer systems
such as some home and automobile devices are designed to
operate without human (user) intervention.

 OS always faces numerous and possibly conflicting requests for

resources and it must decide how to allocate them fairly without
causing resource starvation and deadlock.

 OS acts as a control program which manages the execution of

user program to prevent errors and improper use of computer.

 Operating systems exist because they offer a reasonable way to

solve the problem of creating a usable computing environment
OS major Goals
 Any operating system has the following goals:
▪ To provide environment in which a user can execute
application software and make solving user problems
easier.
▪ Supervises computer hardware to provide appropriate
mechanisms to ensure correct operations of the system
and efficient use of the hardware.
▪ Prevent application software from interfering with
proper operations of the system.
▪ Make computer systems more convenient to use.
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Interaction of OS with other
components

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Functions of Operating System
 Operating systems serve the following functions:
▪ User Interface (UI): Provides UI in such forms as:
• Command Line Interface (CLI): Uses special
programs and text based commands to send commands
to the system.
• Batch interface: Commands and directives to
control the commands are entered into files, e.g. the use
of punched cards.
• Graphical User Interface (GUI): Uses a window
interface with icons, a pointing device to direct I/O,
menus and keyboard to enter text.
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Cont.…..
 Resource allocation and control: Regardless of the number of
users or jobs running at the same time, the OS coordinates
resource allocation for each process and prevent resource
starvation and deadlock.
 CPU scheduling: An activity in which a CPU switches among
processes of different programs, which is the basis for
multiprogramming. When a running process has to wait (pause)
for any reason, the OS takes CPU away from it and gives the CPU
to another process. This process makes the computer more
productive.
 Input/output (I/O) handling: Recognizing input from input
devices, sending output to the output devices and controlling all
peripheral devices. It also prevents a user process from
attempting to disrupt the normal operations of the system such
as by issuing illegal I/O operations.

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Cont..
 Memory management: The main memory (RAM)
provides the working area for CPU and is the only large
storage device that is accessible by CPU directly. Due to
multiprogramming, small size of RAM, and large sizes of
programs, the OS provides efficient management of RAM
in order to improve CPU utilization and CPU’s response
time. The OS memory management tasks include:
- Allocate and deallocate memory space to and from
programs.
- Keep track of which memory parts are currently being
used and by which programs.
- Decide which processes and data to move into and out
of the memory.

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Cont..
 File system management: The OS is responsible for
creating and deleting files, creating and deleting
directories, backing up files etc.
 Controls application software: The OS is
responsible for the installation, execution of
application software and allocating them resources
they need.
 Controls computer hardware: The OS is responsible
for the installation and managing of all hardware
devices installed in the system.
 Enforces system security: Authenticate users,
prevent unauthorized access to system resources etc
Quiz THREE
 List any four services commonly being offered by any
computer OS.

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Kinds of Operating Systems
 OS are developed to run on different kinds of
computer based devices (machines).
 This has led to different kinds of OS as shown below:
▪ Mainframe OS: The OS which run on room sized
computers called mainframe computers found in
major corporate data centers, Internet web servers,
research centers etc. Mainframe computers are
connected to hundreds or thousands of terminals
(laptops, desktops or workstation) and handle their
data processing.
Cont..
 Handheld computer OS: The OS for handheld computer
devices such as smart phones, Personal Assistant Digital
(PDA) etc.
 Personal computer OS: OS that runs on common
personal computers, mainly being mini-laptops, laptops,
desktops and workstations.
Cont..
 Most common kinds of OS are:
▪ Server OS: They run on servers which allow multiple users to
share computing resources over networks. Server machine can be
large personal computers, workstations, minicomputers or
mainframe computers. Servers provide services such as print
service, file service, web service etc.
▪ Sensor node OS: They run on networks of tiny sensor nodes
that communicate with each other and the base station using
wireless communication. Sensor nodes are deployed for various
purposes such as protecting perimeters of the building, guard
national borders, detect fires in the forests or smoke in the
buildings, measure temperature and precipitation for weather
forecasting, glean information about enemy movements in the
battle fields etc.
Cont..
 Smart card OS: The smallest OS that runs on smart
cards which are credit card sized devices containing a
CPU chip. Smart cards are used for various purposes
such as SIM cards, ID cards, credit cards, driving
license etc. Smart cards can store a lot of information
of persons and items they are created for.
 Embedded OS: They run on devices that are not
generally thought of as computers and which do not
accept users installed software. These are such as
micro waves ovens, cameras, TV sets, DVD recorders,
cars, toys, MP3 players etc.

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Operating systems: Important
Things to Know
 Only when necessary, should a computer have more
than one operating system.
 One computer may have as many application software
as per user needs, available free disk space, processing
power, OS platform etc.
Examples of Operating systems are:
 Windows OS - Windows 95,Windows Xp, Windows
Vista, windows 7, windows 8, windows 10, and
windows 11.
 Linux - Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Linux Mint, Gentoo,
Mandriva, Knoppix, Red Hat and SUSE.
 Unix, Solaris, Mac OS etc
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