Operating Systems

Operating Systems

1. It provides a user interface, sits between the user and the computer hardware and abstracts the complexity of the hardware away from the user.

2. Manages and allocates the computer's resources to allow multitasking. Tasks compete fir resources e.g. processor time and memory. OS allocates resources to tasks.

3. On multi-user systems the OS ensures users with correct permission can acess resources. The OS also allows safe file sharing as required.

4. Uses small programs called drivers to communicate with the hardware devices. Drivers are written by the hardware designers and the hardware normally comes packaged with the drivers, or instructions on where to download them from the internet.

5. Utilities are small maintenance programs which support the OS, such as anti-virus software, firewalls, or device management software, and often run in the background performing their jobs without the user knowing. They can be adjusted or tweaked in the OS, such as the Control Panel in Windows.