Operating Systems

Operating Systems

  • An Operating System (OS) is vital software that manages all hardware and software on a computer.
  • Its main roles are to manage the computer’s resources, such as the CPU, memory, and storage, provide a user interface, manage files and folders, and coordinate other software.
  • The OS allocates resources, like memory and processing time, to applications as required which allows multiple applications to run at the same time. This is known as multitasking.

Types of Operating Systems

  • There are many different types of operating systems, the most common being Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android.
  • Desktop operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux are designed for personal computers.
  • Mobile operating systems like Android and iOS are designed for devices like smartphones and tablets.

Interface of Operating Systems

  • An operating system also provides an interface between the user and the computer system.
  • This interface can be graphical (GUI), such as with Windows, macOS, or Android, or command-line (CLI), such as with certain flavours of Linux.
  • In a GUI, users interact with the computer using graphical symbols and a pointing device like a mouse. In a CLI, users interact using text-based commands.

Functions of Operating Systems

  • Another key feature of an OS is file management. It organizes data and applications into files and folders.
  • The OS also manages input and output devices, such as keyboards, mice, printers, monitors, etc.
  • It maintains system security by controlling user access to resources and protecting system files.
  • The OS manages the installation and removal of software, and also deals with errors and crashes, trying to recover the system after a crash, or giving an error message if this is not possible.

Booting an Operating System

  • When you turn on your computer, the OS is loaded into RAM from a storage device like a hard disk. This process is known as booting.
  • During booting, the OS checks the system hardware, loads necessary drivers, starts essential system services, and then waits for user input.