Operating Systems (OS)

Operating Systems (OS)

1. Defintion

   • Collection of programs that control the system hardware resources
   • Acts as a common programming layer between hardware and the user
     • This extracts complexity of hardware away from the user
       • Perfroms all the technical complex parts of running a computer with you just doing a very simplified version
   • Controls communication to the peripherals devices
     • Speakers
     • Secondary Storages
       • HDD
       • SDD
     • Microphones

2. Resource Manager

   • Manages and allocates resources of the computer to allow multitasking
   • Tasks compete for resources e.g. processor time, memory – the OS allocates resources to these processes.

3. Security Handling

   • On multi-users system, it allows users with correct permissions to access resources.
   • Allows safe file sharing as required
   • Stops other users reading your files

4. Client

   • Allows user access to word, excel
   • Examples
     • Windows OS
     • Linux
     • Mac OS

5. Server

   • Dedicated computer for other computers to access
   • Can host
     • Files
     • Gaming
     • Streaming movies, music etc.
   • Windows server, Mac server, Linux (raspberry pie)

6. Features of a GUI (Graphical User Interface)

   • WIMP
     • Windows
     • Icons
     • Menus
     • Pointers