Operating Systems

Operating Systems

1. Multitasking

   • If tasks were split like so, then we would have to wait until a task has been completed until you can move on to the next task. This doesn't cause any issues, but it may take a long time to execute tasks.
   • If the tasks are set up like so, and given a time slot for the processor to work on it, then it appears to the user as though it is multitasking as the processor works so quickly. In reality, the tasks are just being worked on separately for a small amount of time.

2. The User Interface

   • A user interface can either be a graphical user interface (eg. Windows, Android, Mac OS) which is very user friendly and easy to use, or a command line interface (DOS, Raspbian) which is more text based and not as easy to use.

3. Memory Management

   • The operating system allocates memory between the different programs that are open at the time. This is why some programs may crash or your computer may become extremely slow if you have too many programs open.
   • Programmers or the user doesn't need to know where the data is being held, because this is the operating system's job.

4. Drivers

   • This is basically a piece of software (driver) controlling a piece of hardware (eg. Keyboard, mouse, printer etc)
   • Drivers allow a peripheral device to be connected to the computer, and to be used by the operating system.
   • You can get drivers for mice, keyboards, graphics cards, sound cards, etc. The drivers are OS specific, and updated quite often by the companies.

5. Peripherals Management

   • Operating systems manage the way that the hardware interacts with the software.
   • A peripheral is a piece of hardware that isn't directly connected to the CPU. This could be a keyboard, mouse or even a printer.

6. File Management

   • Much like memory management, the operating system has to identify where the files are stored for long term storage, eg. Hard drive or solid state drive.
   • The user doesn't need to know the specific track, sector and surface address, however the operating system does in order to accurately locate a file.

7. Kernal

   • The Kernal is a program that prioritises certain pieces of software that need to be prioritised, and sends the information to the CPU to prioritise it.

8. Firmware

   • This is software that is permanently stored on the system, this can be the bios system or the operating system.

9. Real Time System

   • This system requires very short and guaranteed responses times. These tend to be a fraction of a second. Typical examples of these systems include autopilots and control systems for manufacturing plants.

10. Multi-user System

    • This is on large computer systems in which multiple users will login to the same system. The operating system is responsible for allocating the access to memory, storage and CPU time to multiple users in this type of system.

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