INTRODUCTION TO OPERATING SYSTEM

An Operating System (OS) is an interface between a computer user and computer hardware. An operating system is a software that performs all the basic tasks like file management, memory management, process management, handling input and output, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

An operating system is a software that enables applications to interact with a computer's hardware. The software that contains the operating system's core components is called the kernel.

The primary purposes of an Operating System are to enable applications (software) to interact with a computer's hardware and to manage a system's hardware and software resources.

Some popular Operating Systems include Linux, Windows, VMS, OS/400, AIX, z/OS, etc. Today, Operating systems is found almost in every device like mobile phones, personal computers, mainframe computers, automobiles, TV, Toys etc.

Definitions

We can have a number of definitions of an Operating System. Let's go through a few of them:

Ø  An Operating System is low-level software that supports a computer's basic functions, such as scheduling tasks and controlling peripherals.

We can refine this definition as follows:

Ø  An operating system is a program that acts as an interface between the user and the computer hardware and controls the execution of all kinds of programs.

Following is another definition taken from Wikipedia:

Ø  An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware, and software resources, and provides common services for computer programs.

Architecture

We can draw a generic architecture diagram of an Operating System which is as follows:

Conceptual view of an Operating System


How Operating System Works

When you turn on the computer, the operating system program is loaded into the main memory. This program is called the kernel. Once initialized, the system program is prepared to run the user programs and permits them to use the hardware efficiently. Windows 98/XP is an excellent example that supports different types of hardware configurations from thousands of vendors and accommodates thousands of different I/O devices like printers, disk drives, scanners, and cameras.

Operating systems may be classified based on if multiple tasks can be performed simultaneously, and if the system can be used by multiple users. It can be termed as a single-user or multi-user OS, and a single-tasking or multi-tasking OS. A multi-user system must be multi-tasking. MS-DOS and Windows 3x are examples of single-user operating systems. Whereas UNIX is an example of a multi-user and multitasking operating system.

For Example, if we want to Perform Some Painting on the Screen, then we must use the Application Software as Paint and Hardware as a Mouse for Drawing an Object. But how the System knows what to do when Mouse Moves on the Screen and When the Mouse Draws a Line on the System so that Operating System is Necessary which Interact between or which Communicate with the Hardware and the Software. For a Better understanding, you can see the Workings of the Operating System.

Characteristics of Operating System

1) Operating System is a Collection of Programs that are Responsible for the Execution of other Programs.

2) Operating System is Responsible for Controlling all the Input and Output Devices that are connected to the System.

3) Operating System is Responsible for Running all the Application Software.

4) Operating System is that which Provides Scheduling to the Various Processes Means Allocates the Memory to various Processes that Want to Execute.

5) Operating System is that which provides the Communication between the user and the System.

6) Operating System is Stored in the BIOS Means in the Basic Input and Output System means when a user Starts his System then will Read all the instructions those are Necessary for Executing the System Means for Running the Operating System, Operating System Must be Loaded into the Computer For this, this will use the Floppy or Hard Disks Which Stores the Operating System.

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