Operating system

Operating system

1. Memory Management

   • When an application loads the OS will copy the application to the RAM.This means the OS will make sure every program has its own space RAM.
   • The Operating System stops programs reading or writing by copying the application to the RAM and the OS ensures that each program has its own space on the RAM

2. Peripheral Management

   • Devices that are attached a computer such as a printer or speakers
   • A program does not know how to communicate with the printer and instead passes this data to the operating system which in turn passes it to the printer
   • Operating Systems control Peripheral devices and gives programs access to it
   • When a file is saved the program passes this information to the Operating System this then saves files onto the Hard DIsc

3. The User Interface

   • GUI
     • Graphical user interface
     • Uses windows, icons,menus and pointers to control computers
   • Menu Driven Interface
     • Only offers limited functions on a menu
   • Command Line Interface
     • Used today by linux users and other proffesionals
     • Most common type of Interface
   • Why does an operating system provide users with an interface ?
     • This is so users can interact with the computers
   • Interface means the user and operating System coming together

4. Multi-Tasking

   • Multitasking is when several programs can run at once allowing processes to take it in turns or getting the shorter jobs done
   • There are two main methods of multitasking
     • 1.Allowing processes to take it in turns
     • 2.Getting the shortest job done first
       • This is because the CPU are so quick today,this is why it happens simultaneously and it allows many programs to be used at once

5. Security

   • Operating systems can prevent a computer from abuse by giving different users different permissions
   • Operating System can allow several users to use the same PC as everyone has different usernames and passwords