Operating System Basics

Functions of an Operating System

• Manages hardware and software resources on a computer.
• Acts as an intermediary between users and computer hardware, facilitating user commands and managing hardware interactions.

Control Over the System

• The Kernel has complete control over everything that occurs in the system, handling critical tasks and system operations.

Main Functions of the Kernel

• Responsible for resource management, including memory, processor, and device communication.
• Manages system calls, providing a bridge between user applications and the hardware.

User and Hardware Interface

• The operating system serves as a bridge, enabling user commands to be translated into hardware operations, thereby simplifying user interactions.

Examples of Operating Systems

• Non-examples include software applications like word processors or web browsers, which are not classified as operating systems.

Startup Program

• The first program loaded on startup of a computer is the Bootloader, which initializes the operating system.

Early Microcomputer Operating Systems

• The early operating system for microcomputers in the 1970s was CP/M (Control Program for Microcomputers), which set a precedent for personal computing.

Memory Management Activity

• The operating system is responsible for memory allocation, keeping track of each byte in a computer's memory, and regulating the allocation of memory space to programs.

Microsoft's Response to GUI Development

• Microsoft introduced Windows as a graphical user interface (GUI), which revolutionized user interaction with personal computers during the 1990s.

Computer Systems and Operating Systems

• Personal computers run on various CPUs, predominantly using operating systems like Linux and BSD.

OS/360 Mainframe Computers

• IBM produced the OS/360 operating system for a family of mainframe computers in the 1960s, significantly impacting computing at the time.

Device Communication Management

• The device driver management program is responsible for facilitating communication between the operating system and hardware devices.

Processor Management by the Operating System

• The operating system schedules processes, allocates CPU time, and manages multitasking to ensure efficient utilization of the processor.

Computers with Dedicated Operating Systems

• Certain computers utilize a variety of dedicated operating systems, alongside limited versions of Linux or other operating systems, catering to specific tasks and applications.

Learn the fundamentals of operating systems and their role in managing computer hardware and running applications. Understand the concept of operating systems as intermediaries between users and hardware, and how they facilitate program execution and resource management.