Introduction to Operating Systems

Introduction to Operating Systems

• An operating system (OS) acts as an intermediary between a user and the computer hardware.
• The OS provides an environment for users to execute programs.
• The main goal of an OS is to make the computer system convenient to use.
• A secondary goal is to efficiently use the computer hardware.

Computer System Components

• Hardware provides fundamental computing resources such as the CPU, memory, and I/O devices.
• The OS controls and coordinates the hardware utilization by application programs.
• Application programs solve computing problems for users (e.g., compilers, database systems, video games, banking software).
• Users can be people, machines, or other computers.

Objectives of Operating Systems

• To hide hardware details through abstraction.
• To allocate resources to processes and manage resources.
• To provide a pleasant and effective user interface.

History of Operating Systems

• Charles Babbage designed the first true digital computer, the "Analytical Engine."
• Ada Lovelace, hired by Babbage, became the world's first programmer.
• The programming language Ada is named after her.

First Generation: Vacuum Tubes and Plug Boards

• First computers used mechanical relays and were exceptionally slow, with cycle times measured in seconds.
• Vacuum tubes replaced relays, leading to larger machines, but still very slow compared to modern personal computers.
• Punched cards were introduced in the early 1950s, allowing programs to be written and read on cards instead of plug boards.

Second Generation Transistors and Batch System (1955 – 1965)

• The introduction of transistors significantly improved computer reliability and led to the production of mainframes sold to paying customers.
• Mainframes required specialized air-conditioned computer rooms and professional operators.
• Programmers would write programs on paper (in FORTRAN or assembler), punch them onto cards, and hand them to an operator for processing.
• Input and output were handled manually, resulting in wasted computer time during operator movement.

Third Generation ICs and Multiprogramming (1965 – 1980)

• Batch processing systems were able to run multiple jobs at once, making better use of computer resources.

Fourth Generation Personal Computers (1980 – Present)

• The development of large-scale integration (LSI) circuits, or chips, ushered in the era of personal computers and workstations.
• Microprocessor technology progressed rapidly, allowing desktop computers to become as powerful as the mainframes of the 1970s.

This quiz covers the essential concepts of operating systems, including their roles, components, and objectives. Explore how operating systems interact with hardware and manage resources for users and applications. Test your understanding of the fundamental principles that make computing systems convenient and efficient.