Operating Systems: Introduction and Components

Operating System Basics

• The computer hardware provides basic computing resources.

Operating System Functions

• The main goal of an operating system is to manage and allocate system resources efficiently and fairly.
• The operating system acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware.

Resource Management

• The operating system controls and coordinates the use of hardware among various applications and users.
• The main function of the operating system as a resource allocator is to manage and allocate system resources efficiently and fairly.

Operating System Characteristics

• The kernel is described as 'the one program running at all times on the computer'.
• The operating system defines the ways in which the system resources are used to solve the computing problems of the users in a computer system.

True or False Statements

• True: The operating system acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware.
• True: The operating system manages all resources and decides between conflicting requests for efficient and fair resource use.
• False: Application programs are the only component of a computer system that define the ways in which the system resources are used to solve the computing problems of the users.
• False: The kernel is not described as 'the one program running at all times on the computer' (it's the operating system).
• True: The operating system controls and coordinates the use of hardware among various applications and users in a computer system.