Operating system

Last updated Oct 20, 2022

• Technology
• Computers

A collection of software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services for application software. Designed to support a computer’s basic functions. Often provides a graphical user interface for the user to interact with the OS.

Often comes as two kinds of operating systems:

• desktop operating systems — installed on personal computers meant to be used by one person at a time; and
  • the Windows and macOS families of operating systems are examples of desktop OSs
• server operating systems — installed on more powerful computers (servers) connected to a network and sets out rules enabling multiple users to access information.
  • the Windows Server family of operating systems are examples of server OSs

Operating systems may also vary in whether they are open source; the Linux OS and most distributions based off it are open-source, whereas Windows and macOS are examples of proprietary OSs.

A multi-tasking OS allows more than one program to run at the same time in a computer. Users will be able to:

• do multiple tasks at the same time;
• switch between different active applications; and
• transfer data from one application to another.

A multi-user OS allows multiple users concurrently logging into the computer. The OS will need to handle:

• fair treatment of users with similar privileges;
• the issuance of priority to superusers;
• the privacy of users’ files and data sharing storages; and
• the protection of integrity of each user’s programs and data from:
  • malicious attempts by others; or
  • accidental mistakes from others.

Based on the definitions above:

Operating systems work with other components in a computer to fully make use of a computer’s resources and function well. These components include:

• the output system (BIOS);
• the operating system’s kernel and
• device drivers.

Generally has four important functions:

• file management — the handling of file-related activities (e.g., storage, retrieval, naming, and sharing);
• process management — the handling of the creation and destruction of processes and provision of mechanisms for synchronisation and communication across processes;
• memory management — the handling of the allocation and deallocation of memory space to programs; and
• device management — the handling of the management of I/O devices.