IT1L

Operating System
What is an Operating System?

An operating system (OS) is a collection of software that manages computer

hardware resources and provides common services for computer programs. The
operating system is a vital component of the system software in a computer system.

An Operating System (OS) is an interface between a computer user and computer

hardware. An operating system is a software which performs all the basic tasks like
file management, memory management, process management, handling input and
output, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.
Following are some of important
functions of an operating System.
• Memory Management
• Processor Management
• Device Management
• File Management
• Security
• Control over system performance
• Job accounting
• Error detecting aids
• Coordination between other software and users
Memory Management

One of the primary functions of an operating system is to manage the

computer's memory efficiently. This includes allocating memory to
different processes, freeing up memory that is no longer being used,
and managing virtual memory.
Processor Management

The operating system is responsible for managing the computer's

processor or CPU. It schedules tasks to be executed on the processor
and ensures that each process gets a fair share of the processor's time. It
also controls the execution of processes, including starting, stopping,
and interrupting them.
Device Management

The operating system interacts with hardware devices such as printers,

scanners, keyboards, and mice. It manages device drivers, which are
software programs that control the hardware, and it ensures that
devices are properly configured, installed, and functioning correctly.
File Management

The operating system is responsible for managing files and directories on the
computer. This includes creating, deleting, renaming, and copying files, as well as
organizing files into directories or folders. The operating system must also provide
mechanisms for users to access and manipulate files, such as through a file
manager or command-line interface.
Security

The operating system must protect the computer and its data from
unauthorized access, viruses, malware, and other security threats. It
provides mechanisms for authentication and authorization, such as
passwords and user accounts, and it may also include encryption and
other security features to ensure that data is kept private and secure.
Control over system performance

The operating system must manage system resources such as CPU

time, memory, and disk space to ensure that the computer runs
smoothly and efficiently. It provides mechanisms for monitoring
system performance and optimizing resource allocation to maximize
the computer's performance.
Job accounting

The operating system must keep track of the resources used by each
process or job running on the computer. This includes recording
information such as CPU time, memory usage, and disk space
utilization, which can be used for billing or auditing purposes.
Error detecting aids

The operating system must provide mechanisms for detecting and

reporting errors that occur on the computer. This includes providing
error messages to users, logging errors for later analysis, and providing
diagnostic tools for troubleshooting problems.
Coordination between other software and
users
The operating system must act as an intermediary between software
applications and users. It provides a common interface for software to
interact with hardware devices and other software applications. It also
manages user input and output, including graphical user interfaces and
command-line interfaces.