Operating systems

Operating systems

1. Multitasking

   • Rather than letting the CPU to stand still, and turns its attention to another process
   • Most people have two or more applications open at once, this means the CPU is able to switch its attention fast enough so the user doesn't notice that they are running at the same time.

2. The User Interface

   • Provides the a means of communication between the user and the operating sysetem.
   • Above the Kernal
   • The Kernal deals with the low-level hardware operations

3. Memory Management

   • Manage the available memory
   • The OS allocates memory between the different programs that are open at the same time.
   • Programmers and users do not need to know where in memory data is being held – it is the purpose of the Operating System to do this

4. Drivers

   • A piece of software used to control a piece of hardware.
   • Allows a peripheral device to be connected via computer and use its operating sytstem

5. Peripherals Management

   • Essential to input, output and store data.
   • Most operating systems will allow the user to make minor modifications

6. File management

   • Operating System must identify where files are stored for long term storage

Images and files in the map