Operating Systems / System Software

Operating Systems / System Software

1. Memory Management

   • The OS manages the RAM
   • When an application is loaded it is copied by the OS to the RAM
   • The os makes each program have its own space in the ram
     • this stops other programs reading and writing to the location for another application
   • The OS manages virtual memory

2. Peripheral Management

   • Peripheral devices are devices that are attached to the computer
     • They are controlled by the OS which programs are given access to by
     • Programs don't communicate with the peripherals directly as they don't know its installed.
       • Data is instead passed to the OS which passes it to the printer

3. User Interface

   • An interface enables a computer to interact with a computer
     • There are 3 major types
       • Command Line interface - Accepts written commands.
       • Menu Driven Interface - uses menus
       • GUI - Graphical user interface - uses icons, menus and pointers

4. Multi-Tasking

   • Multitasking is when a computer system runs multiple different processes
     • The OS either allow processes to take it in turn of the smallest jobs are done first

5. Security

   • Multiple users can use a computer so different permissions are given to stop system abuse
   • Usernames and Passwords are used to improve security