Operating Systems

Operating Systems

1. It is a software that manages computer hardware and software

2. It can multitask and perform different tasks at the same time

3. It manages the CPU by running applications and it executes and cancels processes

4. Contains the GUI (Graphical user interface) which allows the user to interact with images through a mouse, a keyboard or touchscreen

5. It provides security through user accounts and passwords

6. Contains the Command Line Interface which is a text only feedback from the OS appearing from the text. It requires knowledge of the commands available on a particular machine. It is faster, more flexible and uses less memory than GUI

7. An operating system manages how memory is shared between the processes and what happens when there is not enough main memory to get the job done

8. The OS uses buffering to set aside memory for the temporary storage of data. A process may output data and leave it in the buffer. This means that processors can get on with their own jobs at their own rate

9. The OS uses device drivers to manage connections with peripherals. A device driver handles the translation of requests between a device and a computer and it wakes up the device when it is needed and put it back to sleep when it is not