Operating Systems Fundamentals

Operating Systems

Definition

• An operating system (OS) is a software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services to computer programs.
• Acts as an intermediary between computer hardware and user-level applications.

Functions

• Process Management: manages creation, execution, and termination of processes (programs).
• Memory Management: allocates and deallocates memory for running programs.
• File System Management: provides access to file systems, allowing programs to read and write files.
• Input/Output (I/O) Management: manages input/output operations between devices and programs.
• Security: enforces access control, authentication, and authorization mechanisms.
• Networking: manages communication between computers and devices.

Types of Operating Systems

• Desktop Operating Systems:
  • Examples: Windows, macOS, Linux
  • Designed for single-user, single-tasking environments
• Mobile Operating Systems:
  • Examples: Android, iOS
  • Designed for mobile devices, touch-based interfaces
• Server Operating Systems:
  • Examples: Windows Server, Linux distributions
  • Designed for multi-user, multi-tasking environments
• Real-Time Operating Systems:
  • Examples: VxWorks, QNX
  • Designed for applications requiring predictable, fast responses

Key Operating System Components

• Kernel: the core of the OS, responsible for managing hardware resources
• Device Drivers: software components that interact with hardware devices
• System Libraries: pre-built libraries of code that provide common functions
• System Utilities: programs that perform maintenance and management tasks

Popular Operating Systems

• Windows: developed by Microsoft, widely used on desktop and laptop computers
• macOS: developed by Apple, exclusive to Mac computers
• Linux: open-source, widely used on servers, desktops, and mobile devices

Operating Systems

Definition and Functions

• Manages computer hardware resources and provides common services to computer programs
• Acts as an intermediary between computer hardware and user-level applications
• Performs five key functions:
  • Process Management: creates, executes, and terminates processes (programs)
  • Memory Management: allocates and deallocates memory for running programs
  • File System Management: provides access to file systems, allowing programs to read and write files
  • Input/Output (I/O) Management: manages input/output operations between devices and programs
  • Security: enforces access control, authentication, and authorization mechanisms
  • Networking: manages communication between computers and devices

Classification of Operating Systems

Desktop Operating Systems

• Designed for single-user, single-tasking environments
• Examples: Windows, macOS, Linux

Mobile Operating Systems

• Designed for mobile devices, touch-based interfaces
• Examples: Android, iOS

Server Operating Systems

• Designed for multi-user, multi-tasking environments
• Examples: Windows Server, Linux distributions

Real-Time Operating Systems

• Designed for applications requiring predictable, fast responses
• Examples: VxWorks, QNX

Key Operating System Components

Kernel

• The core of the OS, responsible for managing hardware resources

Device Drivers

• Software components that interact with hardware devices

System Libraries

• Pre-built libraries of code that provide common functions

System Utilities

• Programs that perform maintenance and management tasks

Popular Operating Systems

Windows

• Developed by Microsoft, widely used on desktop and laptop computers

macOS

• Developed by Apple, exclusive to Mac computers

Linux

• Open-source, widely used on servers, desktops, and mobile devices

Test your knowledge of operating systems, including their definition, functions, and roles in managing computer hardware resources and providing services to programs.