The operating system (new)
- 1. The Operating system By Declan Gaffney
- 2. What does a operating system do? The operating system is the most important program that runs on a computer; computers must have one to connect with any other computer. The operating system manages the hardware of the computer and also the software uploaded to the computer. There are several types of operating systems; these are: -Real-time -Multi-user vs. Single-user -Multi-tasking vs. Single-tasking -Distributed -Embedded
- 3. Where can a OS be found?
- 4. Main functions of a Operating System • Processor management • Memory management • Device management • Storage management • User interface
- 5. The role of the OS in managing the processor • Controls what goes to the CPU as the CPU can only do one thing at a time. • The processor has a function called the buffer which the operating system controls, the buffer is a small area of storage usually placed in the RAM. Basically the buffer is like a little holding area which then lets the processor look at the data properly before giving it to another device. Which boosts computer performance/processor speed.
- 6. Storage management • The OS has a file allocation for memory storage, it is a table that the OS uses to locate files on a disk. • The buffer could also be linked to storage as that is technically what it does its stores a small amount of data for a short while, while the computer does what it needs to.
- 7. Memory management • Provides ways to give of memory to programs at the users request. • The Operating System uses drivers to control the memory in the computer and what's used of it, and where it goes. • The OS manages where the data goes e.g. the RAM, USB, HDD e.c.t. it will always know where it is stored which means it can quickly open the files at a later data, and if the computer is defragmented then the OS can find them even quicker.
- 8. User interface • The user interface of an operating system lets the user interact with the operating system, send out commands etc. • There are two types of user interface known as: CLI and GUI. • It seems that CLI is a interface that is difficult to use as to GUI which can be navigated around with much more ease and it is also more familiar to the common computer user. • CLI, a Command Line Interface, this is difficult to use but still does the job, its interface is bland, you have to type in all the commands to the PC, these are not really used very much anymore but at a time they were always used. • GUI, a Graphical User Interface, this is the most used today, it is simple and easy to understand, even people who use it for the first time get used to it fairly easy. You do not need to type commands in, this makes it much simpler for everybody. It offers simple use for something that use to be very complicated.
- 9. Device management • lets you view and change the properties of all devices attached to your computer. • Operating systems always need drivers, this is because drivers control devices, for example the OS comes with standard drivers for the keyboard, monitor and so on.