Operating Systems

Operating Systems

1. If I write a program in C++, I can compile it for Windows, Linux, Mac or Android. I then know it will run on any machine that can run the operating system.

   • As a programmer, I don’t need to worry about what hardware the user has, or how security is handled.

2. printing

   • If my program needs to print a document, I tell the operating system to print it. The operating system will then spool the print job

3. Different types of code

   • Machine code instructions are different for each piece of hardware Each PC has a different combination of CPU, hard disk, memory manager, graphics card etc.
     • An operating system talks directly to the hardware. Software is written for the OS instead of the hardware.

4. Backing Stores

   • Backing stores are storage devices used to keep backups of important files Operating systems can often manage this for the user
   • The OS will make regular backups in the right format an appropriate device

5. file compression

   • File compression is storing data in a way that keeps the same information but uses less disk space.
     • The same information is stored, but the second way uses fewer bytes. Operating systems can compress data as it’s saved and decompress it as it’s loaded, allowing more data to be stored on a device.