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Thursday, November 17, 2011

Components Of The Operating System

The operating system comprises a set of software packages that can be used to manage interactions with the hardware . The following elements are generally included in this set of software:

1.The Kernel:- It represents the operating system’s basic functions such as management of memory, processes, files, main input/output’s and communication functionalities.

2.The shell:- It allowing communication with the operating system via a control language, letting the user control the peripherals without knowing the characteristics of the hardware used ,management of physical addresses, etc.


3.The file system:- It allowes files to be recorded in a tree structure.






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Additional Operating System Functions

Additional functions exist not for helping the user but rather for ensuring efficient system operations.

1.Resource Allocation:- operating system allocate resources to multiple users or multiple jobs running at the same time.

2.Accounting:- operating system keep track of and record which users use how much and what kinds of computer resources for account billing or for accumulating usage statistics.

3.Protection:- operating system ensures that all access to system resources is controlled.

Operating System Services

Following services are provided by the operating system:


1.User Interface:- Almost all Operating System have a user interface. This interface can take several forms.
A.Command line interface:- which used text commands and a method for entering them.
B.Graphical User Interface:- Here, the interface is a window system with a pointing device to direct input/output, choice from menus and make selections and a keyboard to enter text.

2.Program Development:- Operating System provides a set of utility programs e.g. Editors, debuggers etc. to assist the programmer in creating programs.


3.Program Execution:- A number of tasks needed to be performed to execute a program. Instructions and data must be loaded into main memory, input/output devices must be initialized and other resources must be prepared. The operating system handles these scheduling tasks.


4.Input/output Operations:- A running program requires input/output which comes from a file or an input/output device. For specific devices, specific functions/instructions may be desired for operation. The operating system provides a uniform interface that hides these details so that the programmer can access such devices using simple reads and writes.


5.File System manipulation:- in the case of files, the Operating System does not only keep the details of the nature of input/output devices but also the structure of the data contained in the files of the storage medium. The operating system may provided protection mechanism (permission management) to allow or deny access to files or directories based on file ownership.


6.Communications:- Operating System aids in exchange of information between processes executing either on the same computer or on different systems tied together by a network. Implemented via shared memory or message passing.


7.Error Detection:- Operating System ensure correct computing by detecting errors in the CPU, memory, hardware, input/output devices or in user programs.





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Operating System As A User & Computer Interface (UI, CI)

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Operating System As A User/Computer Interface:

A modern computer system consists of one or more processors, memory(primary and secondary), clocks, terminals, disks, network interfaces and other input/output devices. All in a complex system. Writing programs that keep track of all these components and use them correctly is an extremely difficult job. So, a layer of software is put on top of the bare hardware, to manage all parts of the system, and present the user with an interface or virtual machine that is easier to understand and program. This layer of software is the operating system.












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    Computer Interface
    User Interface

Objectives Of Operating System

Operating system has following objectives:

1.Convenience:- An operating system makes a computer more convenient to use.


2.Efficiency:- An operating system allows the computer system resources to be used in an efficient manner.


3.Ability to evolve:- An operating system should be constructed in such a way as to permit the effective development, testing and introduction of new system functions without interfering with services.








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       OS Objectives
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       OS Efficiency, Convenience, Ability to evolve

Introduction To Operating System

Definition and Goal of operating system:
An operating system is a program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware. Its primary goal is to:
i)  Execute user programs and make solving user problems easier.
ii) Make the computer system convenient to use.

The one program running at all times on the computer is the kernel. Everything else is either a system program (ships with the operating system) or an application program.

few more Operating System Definition 
A.Operating System is a resource allocator 
1.Manages all resources. 
2.Decides between conflicting requests for efficient and fair resource use. 

B.Operating System is a control program 
1.Controls execution of programs to prevent errors and improper use of the computer.






Related Search Terms:
   What is Kernel
   Operating System Definition
   Resource Allocator
   OS Control Program
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