Operating Systems

Operating Systems

1. Multitasking

   • Multitasking has changed the way we use computers completely. Originally computers could only have one process running at a time because of the limitations of the RAM and CPU. Now computers have much faster Ram and more efficient CPU's which means multi-tasking has become easier because the computer can now cope with more than one program open at a time. If the current program is loading data from a slow peripheral devices, instead of the CPU standing idle for a while it will turn it's attention to other programs. This is known as multitasking. Users often make use of this feature to enable several programs to run at the same time. For example, their email program might be reciving data like emails while you are listening to music on your computer

2. The User Interface

   • The user interface is a communication method between the operating system and the user. The user interface layer is above the Kernel layer so one operating system Kernel can provide a range of user interfaces. Linux, for example, is technically the kernel for an operating system and various user interfaces can be used with the Linux kernel without affecting the rest of the set up for the operating system.

3. Memory Management

   • One of the key roles of the operating system is memory management. The primary memory will contain the programs and data currently in use and the operating system makes sure that the information is stored safely and efficiently. The operating system makes sure that programs can't overwrite each others data. However if two programs require the same data the operating system will manage the distribution of that data.

4. Driver

   • A driver is a piece of software apple mac where as those required if it's used on are that controls another piece of hardware. The device drivers are not specific only to the device but also to the operating system. A printer will require different drivers if used on an windows based system. Drivers are generally written by the device manufacturer or provided as a generic device driver by the operating system.

5. Peripherals Management

   • Peripheral devices are essential for a computer system to input, output and store data. These devices need to communicate with the rest of the computer system. This communication is controlled by signals produced by the device drivers. Device drivers are required for each peripheral and are generally written by the device manufacturer or provided as generic device drivers by the operating systems

6. File Management

   • Like memory management, the Operating System must identify where files are stored for long term storage on for e.g. the hard disk drive or a solid state drive. The Operating System can accurately locate a file on the hard disk drive because it has efficiently stored it

7. Firmware

   • Firmware is software that is permanently stored on a device. The pperating system used on a home computer or a large system is loaded from a disk. In a small, embedded system or on a portable device, such as a mobile phone, there is no requirement for a disk and the operating system is stored permanently in ROM or in flash memory drives. Software that is permantly stored like this is called firmware. It typically consists of small programs used to control the device. Larger computer systems also have firmware that is used to control the boot up operations

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