Monday, 27 January 2014

Operating System Definition

What is an Operating System?
Ø  A program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware.
Ø  Operating system goals:
o   Execute user programs and make solving user problems easier.
o   Make the computer system convenient to use.
Ø  Use the computer hardware in an efficient manner.
Ø  Computer system can be divided into four components
o   Hardware – provides basic computing resources
§  CPU, memory, I/O devices
o   Operating system
§  Controls and coordinates use of hardware among various applications and users
o   Application programs – define the ways in which the system resources are used to solve the computing problems of the users
§  Word processors, compilers, web browsers, database systems, video games
o   Users
§  People, machines, other computers
Ø  OS is a resource allocator
o   Manages all resources
o   Decides between conflicting requests for efficient and fair resource use
Ø  OS is a control program
o   Controls execution of programs to prevent errors and improper use of the computer

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