Operating system

Operating system

1. Functions

   • organises - creates a file system to organise files and directories
   • security - provides security through user accounts and passwords
   • manages memory - transfers programs into and out of memory, allocates free space between programs, and keeps track of memory usage
   • manages the CPU - runs applications and executes and cancels processes
   • multi-tasks - allows multiple applications to run at the same time
   • interface - provides a user interface so it is easy to interact with the computer
   • utilities - provides tools for managing and organising hardware

2. Common features of a GUI

   • They are much easier to use for beginners.
   • They can be irritating to experienced users when simple tasks require a number of operations.
   • They enable you to easily exchange information between software using cut and paste or drag and drop
   • They use a lot of memory and processing power. It can be slower to use than a command-line interface if you are an expert user.