Operation Systems

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Operating System An operating system is the essential software linking hardware and other software (e.g. applications) together to perform functions allowing the computer to run properly

Application software: software installed on computer by user

System software: software needed by computer to work (e.g. Microsoft Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Solaris, Bada)

Functions of an Operating System Device Configuration

-controls peripherals connected to computer

File Management

-transfers files between main memory and secondary storage

-manages file folders

-allocates the secondary storage space

-provides file protection and recovery

Memory Management

-allocates use of RAM to requesting processes

Interface Platform

-allows computer to run other applications

Types of Operating Systems Single user application

-one user

-one application at a time

-e.g. iPod

Single user multi-tasking

-one user

-can run many applications simultaneously

-e.g. Personal Computer

Multi-user multi-tasking

-manages each user logged on to the system

-allocates resources for jobs they request

-scheduling: users are given "time slices" for jobs to share out resources as some jobs are more prioritised than others

-logs use of system

-maintains security

-e.g. Mainframes

Network OS

-can deal with users logging on

-maintains the network connection to the server(s)

-expands file system so files can be viewed by other computers

-provides security between other accounts

Batch OS

-same task is repeated but with different input data

-mostly used in mainframes

-used in updating bank accounts at end of day; data is readily available so processing is not delayed

Real-time OS

-responds in the time needed to fully control the system being run

-used when processing needs to be fast

Components of an Operating System Kernel

-main automatic functions of computer

-loading/unloading applications from memory

-scheduling tasks to run on CPU

-manages memory access for programs in RAM

-determines which programs get access to which hardware resources

Device Drivers

User Interface

System Utilities