Operating Systems
Contents
Definition
An operating system is a medium that allows the user to control a computer using it's features
Functions of Operating System
- Read, write and store data
- Configure the computer
- Interact with programs
- Interact with input devicrs
Creating a Virtual Machine
Resource Management
Memory Management
The user can work on several tasks at the same time. Each program, application, and file open must be allocated some memory to use while the computer is running. Some programs and applications are designed to run in the background even though another application has focus. Multitasking is when multiple applications and programs can be open at the same time, the user can then switch between them. Many machines often lack enough actual memory (RAM) and in order to function the operating system uses the hard drive to create virtual memory.
Processor Scheduling
The operating system will need to queue access to the processor if the processor is busy. This will allow the operating system to use the processor efficiently. Some processors have multiple cores, so they can process multiple instructions at a time Users will also multitask and run multiple applications at the same time. Therefore the operating system will need schedule processor to allow them all to run with each application taking its turn and processing in chunks.
Backing Store Management
Peripheral Management
Interupt Handling
Creating a User Interface
GUI
GUI or Graphical User Interface is a way of interacting with a computer by using graphics that make the computer easier to use by showing graphical images that the user can use and see making it so that they can direst the computer without having to know all the code that is required to make the computer do that command.
Command Line
A command line is interacting with a computer by imputing commands with a keyboard to make a computer perform tasks.