Podcast Beta
Questions and Answers
What is the primary goal of an operating system?
Which of the following is NOT a component of a computer system?
Who is considered the world’s first programmer?
What technology characterized the first generation of operating systems?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these is a secondary goal of operating systems?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of resources does the operating system manage?
Signup and view all the answers
Which operating system is known for its reliability in server environments?
Signup and view all the answers
What is created by an operating system to abstract hardware details from users?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a significant change introduced in the computing process during the early 1950s?
Signup and view all the answers
How did the introduction of transistors in the mid-1950s impact the functionality of computers?
Signup and view all the answers
During which period did computers start to be used for multiprogramming?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a primary disadvantage of the batch processing system used in the early computing era?
Signup and view all the answers
What led to the evolution of personal computers in the 1980s?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a characteristic of computers referred to as mainframes?
Signup and view all the answers
Which programming languages were commonly used during the early programming era for writing jobs?
Signup and view all the answers
What was a direct result of batch processing systems improving during the 1960s?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
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.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
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.
