The Operating System

What is an Operating System?

An Operating System (OS) is a piece of system software that manages computer hardware and software resources.
It provides an environment for the execution of programs.
It serves as an intermediary between the user and the computer hardware.
The OS is the ‘guts’ of a computer, included by the manufacturer, and is not usually changed by a user.

Tasks Managed by an Operating System

Resource Management: The OS manages the computer’s resources, such as the CPU, memory, disk drives, and printers.
File Management: It controls how files are created, deleted, read, and written.
Security: The OS manages the security of resources and data, it can also prevent unauthorised access.
Device Management: It facilitates communication between the connected devices and the CPU, and handles input and output.
User Interface: Provides a user interface which can be either command-line (text based) or Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Utility Software Management: The OS may come pre-packaged with utility software used to manage, maintain, control and diagnose the computer system.

Types of Operating Systems

Single-user and single-task: An OS that allows one user to perform one task at a time.
Single-user and multi-tasking: An OS that allows one user to perform multiple tasks at the same time.
Multi-user: An OS that allows multiple users to access the computer system at the same time.

Examples of Operating Systems

Microsoft Windows - The most commonly used OS for PCs.
MAC OS - Used by Apple computers.
Linux - An open-source OS, often used for servers.
iOS and Android are both commonly used on mobile devices.

Comparison of Operating Systems

Some operating systems are open-source (libre), which means that their source code is freely available for modification and redistribution. This includes Linux.
Other operating systems, like Microsoft Windows and OSX, are closed-source (proprietary). This means you can use them, but you can’t see how they work, fix bugs, or modify them yourself.

Remember to review the features of each major OS, their advantages, and disadvantages in the context of their use. For example, many businesses use Windows due to the vast range of compatible software, whereas a graphic designer might prefer Mac for its processing power in design software.