CSCD 315

INTRODUCTION TO OPERATING
SYSTEM

Session 4 – Operating System Overview

Lecturer: Mr. Benjamin S.K. Wiredu, Computer science department

Contact Information: 0248177400

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

Slide 2
 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

Slide 3
 Reading List
• Read Chapter 2 of Recommended Text – Williams
stalling, Operating Systems, 6th Edition page 45

Slide 4
Topic One

2.1 DEFINING AN OPERATING

SYSTEM
Slide 5
 What is an Operating System
• An operating system is a program that acts as an
intermediary between a user of a computer and
the computer hardware.

• Examples of operating systems include: IBM OS, MS Dos,

Mac OS, Chrome OS, Unix, Windows, GNU.
• The computer system can be divide (divided) into four
component:
– The hardware
– Operating system
– Application programs
– Users Slide 6
Abstract view of the components of a
computer system

Slide 7
 Sample Question
• Can a computer run without an operating
system? Explain?

Slide 8
 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

2.2 MAJOR OBJECTIVES OF AN

OPERATING SYSTEM
Slide 10
 Objectives of Operating systems
• The operating system as we know acts as interface between
hardware and software and controls the execution of
programs. It consists of three main objectives;
– Convenience: the primary purpose of an operating system is to
provide an environment in which users can execute programs.
– Efficiency: to allocate resources to processes (manages resources
efficiently).
– Ability to evolve: the OS should be built in a way that it will allow
the development, testing and introduction of new systems
functions without the interference with system service.
The operating system hides the details of the hardware by creating
abstraction.

Slide 11
Topic Three

2.3 EVOLUTION OF OPERATING

SYSTEM
Slide 12
 Evolution of Operating Systems
• The 1940's - First Generations: The earliest electronic digital computers had no
operating systems. Machines of the time were so primitive that programs were
often entered one bit at a time on rows of mechanical switches (plug boards).
Programming languages were unknown (not even assembly languages). Operating
systems were unheard of.
• The 1950's - Second Generation: By the early 1950's, the routine had improved
somewhat with the introduction of punch cards. The General Motors Research
Laboratories implemented the first operating systems in early 1950's for their IBM
701.The system of the 50's generally ran one job at a time.
• The 1960's - Third Generation: The systems of the 1960's were also batch
processing systems, but they were able to take better advantage of the computer's
resources by running several jobs at once .
• Fourth Generation: With the development of LSI (Large Scale Integration)
circuits, chips, operating system entered in the personal computer and the
workstation age. Microprocessor technology evolved to the point that it
becomes possible to build desktop computers as powerful
Slide 13
as the
mainframes of the 1970s.
 UNIVAC COMPUTER
A FIRST GENERATION COMPUTER

Slide 14
Topic Four

2.4 MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS/IMPORTANCE

OF OPERATING SYSTEMS

Slide 15
 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.

Slide 16
 References
• http://internationalprogrammersday.org/history-of-op
erating-systems
/

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