Definition of Operating System
The operating system is a collection of system programs that together control the operation of a computer system.
An operating system is a program on which application programs are executed and acts as a communication bridge(interface) between the user and the computer hardware.
The main task an operating system carries out is the allocation of resources and services, such as the allocation of memory, devices, processors, and information. The operating system also includes programs to manage these resources, such as a traffic controller, a scheduler, a memory management module, I/O programs, and a file system.
Functions of Operating System (OS) related to user and system
Related to User
Security-
The operating system used password protection to protect user data and similar other techniques. It also prevents unauthorized access to programs and user data.
Control over system performance-
Monitors overall system health to help improve performance and record the response time between service requests and system to have a complete view of the system health. This can help improve performance by providing important information needed to troubleshoot problems.
Job accounting-
The operating system keeps track of time and resources used by various tasks and users, this information can be used to track resource usage for a particular user or group of users.
Error detecting aids-
The operating system constantly monitors the system to detect errors and avoid the malfunctioning of the computer system.
Coordination between other software and users
Operating systems also coordinate and assign interpreters, compilers, assemblers, and other software to the various users of the computer system.
Memory management-
The operating system manages the Primary Memory or Main Memory. It keeps track of primary memory. It allocates the memory to a process when the process requests it and deallocated the memory when the process has terminated or is performing an I/O operation.
Processor management-
An operating system keeps track of the status of processes. The program which performs this task is known as a traffic controller. Allocated the CPU that is the processor to a process. De-allocated processor when a process is no more required.
Device management-
An OS manages device communication via their respective drivers. It keeps track of all devices connected to the system, designates a program responsible for every drive known as the Input/Output controller. The operating system decides which process gets access to a certain device and for how long. It allocated devices in an effective and efficient way. It also deallocated devices when they are no longer required.
File management-
A file system is organized into directories for efficient or easy navigation and usage. These directories may contain other directories and other files. An operating system keeps track of where information is stored, user access settings and status of every file, and more. These facilities are collectively known as the file system.
Related to System
Program Execution-
The operating system is responsible for the execution of all types of programs whether it is user programs or system programs. The operating system utilizes various resources available for the efficient running of all types of functionalities
Handling Input/Output Operations-
The operating system is responsible for handling all sorts of inputs like keyboard, mouse, desktop, etc. The operating system dows all interfacing in the most appropriate manner regarding all kinds of inputs and outputs.
Manipulation of File System-
The operating system is responsible for making decisions regarding the storage of all types of data or files that ie floppy disk/hard disk/pen drive, etc. the operating system decides how the data should be manipulated and stored.
Error Detection and Handling-
The operating system is responsible for the detection of any types of error or bugs that can occur while any task. The well-secured OS sometimes also acts as a countermeasure for preventing any sort of breach to the Computer System from any external source and probably handling them.
Resource Allocation-
The operating system ensures the proper use of all the resources available by deciding which resource to be used by whom for how much time. All the decisions are taken by the operating system.
Accounting-
The operating system tracks an account of all the functionalities taking place in the computer system at a time. All the details such as the types of errors that occurred are recorded by the operating system.
Information and Resource Protection-
The operating system is responsible for using all the information and resources are available on the machine in the most protected way. The operating system must foil an attempt from any external resource to hamper any sort of data or information.
All these services are ensured by the operating system for the convenience of the users to make the programming task easier. All different kinds of operating systems more or less provide the same.
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