Operating systems

Operating systems

1. A collection of programs that manages the hardware and software of a computer system. Including sharing the computer's memory, hardware and other resources.

2. File management

   • Creates a file system to organise files and directories
     • Hierarchy of directories

3. Hardware management

   • Manages peripherals- opens, closes and write to peripheral devices such as storage attached to the computer
     • Drivers are software that allow us to use the actual hardware components.
   • manages memory - transfers programs into and out of memory, allocates free space between programs, and keeps track of memory usage.

4. User management

   • User interface
     • Command line
       • An OS also provides a method of interaction that is non-graphical, called the command line interface (CLI). This is a text-only service with feedback from the OS appearing in text
     • Graphical user interface (GUI)
       • The OS on most computers and smartphones provides an environment with tiles, icons and/or menus.
   • Security-provides security through user accounts and passwords.

5. Process management

   • manages the CPU - runs applications and executes and cancels processes
   • multi-tasks - allows multiple applications to run at the same time

6. Utilities software

   • Deleting data
   • Anti-virus software
   • Software updates

Images and files in the map