Computer - Operating System
The
Operating System is a program with the following features −
· An
operating system is a program that acts as an interface between the software
and the computer hardware.
· It is
an integrated set of specialized programs used to manage overall resources and
operations of the computer.
· It is
a specialized software that controls and monitors the execution of all other
programs that reside in the computer, including application programs and other
system software.
Objectives of Operating
System
The objectives of the operating system are −
· To
make the computer system convenient to use in an efficient manner.
· To
hide the details of the hardware resources from the users.
· To
provide users a convenient interface to use the computer system.
· To
act as an intermediary between the hardware and its users, making it easier for
the users to access and use other resources.
· To
manage the resources of a computer system.
· To
keep track of who is using which resource, granting resource requests, and
mediating conflicting requests from different programs and users.
· To
provide efficient and fair sharing of resources among users and programs.
Characteristics of
Operating System
Here is a list of some of the most prominent characteristic
features of Operating Systems −
· Memory
Management − Keeps track of the primary memory, i.e. what part of it is in
use by whom, what part is not in use, etc. and allocates the memory when a
process or program requests it.
· Processor
Management − Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process and deallocates
the processor when it is no longer required.
· Device
Management − Keeps track of all the devices. This is also called I/O
controller that decides which process gets the device, when, and for how much
time.
· File
Management − Allocates and de-allocates the resources and decides who gets
the resources.
· Security −
Prevents unauthorized access to programs and data by means of passwords and
other similar techniques.
· Job
Accounting − Keeps track of time and resources used by various jobs and/or
users.
· Control
Over System Performance − Records delays between the request for a service
and from the system.
· Interaction
with the Operators − Interaction may take place via the console of the
computer in the form of instructions. The Operating System acknowledges the
same, does the corresponding action, and informs the operation by a display
screen.
· Error-detecting
Aids − Production of dumps, traces, error messages, and other debugging
and error-detecting methods.
· Coordination
Between Other Software and Users − Coordination and assignment of
compilers, interpreters, assemblers, and other software to the various users of
the computer systems.
