Operating System
What is an Operating System?
An operating system is defined as a system that its primary purpose is to manage the computer and also the application software. After the machine is booted up, it uses the operating system to perform three crucial functions. First, it will help provide an interface that will be between the computer and the user. This is achieved by providing a virtual machine. The second function will be to creating a software platform that will include an application program interface that will be used to allow application software to be able to run on the computer and be in a position to hide the complex system of the machine. The third and final function will be to make it possible to manage all the associated hardware computer components to a point where the engine will be shut down. Two known types of interfaces are used to be able to run a generator. The two are: graphic (GUI) user and command –line (CLI)
The operating system is categorized into different types. They include:
- Multi-user- it is a type of operating system that allows different or multiple users to access a computer at the same time as the other. Those systems that can be used for internet servers or even time-sharing can be categorized as multi-users since they are in a position to enable different users to be able to access the computer via the sharing of time. There should be balanced requirements of the users with each program having enough storage to prevent problems that will make one user affect the plans of others.
- Multiprocessing- more than one program is allowed to run simultaneously in this type of operating system. Compared to a single- process, this operating system is considered to be more complicated since the OS must be in a position to allocate the resources to the competing methods in a more reasonable way.
- Multithreading- this operating system is usually in a position to execute programs that are more than one at the same time. This can well be said to be multitasking, where it only involves one CPU, which is switched from one program to the other in a quicker way that can give the appearance of executing all the list at the same time. The process of multitasking is divided into two types: cooperative and pre-emptive. In cooperative multitasking, the CPU is controlled by each program as long as it needs it while in pre-emptive multitasking, the CPU is parceled out into time slices to each
application.
- Real-Time- It is a multitasking system in which its main aim is to execute application instantaneously. By this, the operating system is made predictable and quicker when responding to a given event. A real-time operating system must-have, time-sharing design, or an event-driven, which switches tasks based on priority. The time-sharing systems change functions that are based upon clock interrupts. The arrangements are meant to schedule tasks in a real-time operating system more clearly and quickly allowing it to operate applications instantly.
Type of interface
As discussed in the beginning, we have to types of interface. That is the command line and graphical user. Both of these types of interfaces are found in the operating systems.
- Command-Line
It is defined as a text-based user interface that is navigated by the use of prompts and texts that are based commands that are always entered by the one using the computer with a keyboard, which is usually the only input device that can be used with a command-line interface. The geographical user interface, on the other hand, uses a mouse. By using the command line interface, there are some advantages that one is likely to have compared to using the geographical interface. One is expected to be able to shorten the long GUI actions to be shorter with few lines of prompts. They also have a more comfortable and stable structure.
- Geographical User Interface (GUI)
It can be defined to be the opposite of the command line system. The user of this system is the one who directs it by use of a mouse that is used to move the pointer on the screen. Computer graphics cards are used to enable users to experience using the computer and make it easier to use. They are used to process only one program at a time. The advantage of using this type of interface include: it takes less time to complete work as it makes it more accessible. Compared to CLI, GUI is easier to learn and also how to use it.
Functions and Services of Operating System
To keep the computer working, the operating system has to perform some specific functions and services. The machine is managed by the OS to ensure that there is enough security to stop the computer from being accessed by users who are unauthorized and be able to execute files that are on the computer.
- Machine and peripheral management
Machine management can be well said to be where the software and hardware are managed in the computer system. In contrast, peripheral administration is where the operating system controls the peripheral functions by using drivers. Peripherals are handled quickly by the use of drivers that allow the operating system to communicate with them. Components found on the hardware are monitored by the OS to prevent the computer from crushing. In case there is an application that needs to reach or use the peripheral like the printer or even mouse, it usually sends a request to the operating system rather than passing it directly to the peripheral. The information is sent the vital information to the peripheral driver, after which it sends it to the outer.
- Security
This an essential function in the operating system as it prevents data in the computer from being destroyed or even damaged by those who are not authorized to use it. The primary way that the operating system can provide security is by demanding the authentication of the user before using it. This is achieved by asking the username and the password to identify the one trying to access the computer to load the right programs and files. It can as well ask for fingerprints and codes as a way to prevent the computer from being accessed by an unauthorized user. The operating system also ensures that the computer users to only access files that they are only allowed to view in that computer. This can well work in schools and business computer centers where students and workers are denied access to vital details of the institution. The use of anti-virus and firewalls is another way that the operating system offers security to the computer. They prevent computers from hackers and viruses.
- File management
This kind of system is used to search and organize files that are stored on the computer. The system provides functions like; deleting files after creating them, and they become unwanted, loading and opening of data, saving of files in a way that one wishes to, making changes to files, and closing them. To locate a file in a computer, it follows a given structure found 9n the file management, as demonstrated in the diagram below.
All Microsoft operation systems have six folders that are predefined and are located under ‘ThisPc’; they include Documents, downloads, music, desktop, videos, and pictures. All these fodders make it easy for one to locate their documents and files since they are well organized on the computer. Users can also create their new folders to keep their records to access them more easily. All these original documents are stored and saved in the document folder as it is meant to hold them. To help manage files on your computer, one can download the file management software. The system also makes it easier for one to back up files that are crucial and again add more security to the data to prevent them from unauthorized users.
Device Drivers
A device driver is well defined as a piece of software that is meant to be used by the processors to enable them to interact with devices that are external and are connected to a computer like a mouse or a printer. Initially, an operating system has some drivers that are built-in like video, basic display, and network drivers. For a device that is added later in the computer to work, the user of the computer has to install a specific device driver. The installed device driver is used to convert input or output instructions to become easier for the computer to hold it in and understand.
FEATURES OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM
For an operating system to be effective it its operation, it has to perform some features. Some of these features include:
- Customizability
To make communication and computing resources available and accessible to all, the operating system needs to provide efficient and fair applications to the customers. The operating system allows its operations to be changed in a way that will not make its operations impossible or even difficult to be accessed. Changes like adding new software improve the functions of the computer and the operating system like downloading packets or patches in the command line interface to improve the function of the computer. All operating systems should be customizable to fit the requirements of those using it.
- Support Connectivity of Portable Media
The operating system should be in a position to hold and support all portable media devices which are connected to the computer; for instance, flash, memory card, USB and pen driver. The OS needs to have a driver with a capacity to write and read any kind of portable media for the user to be able to add a new application to the external drive without which it might cause malfunctioning of the computer. Those operating systems with the capacity of holding portable media need to enable computer users to locate their device on the system in a more natural way of preventing the computer from having issues.
- Security, Stability, and Reliability
To is essential to have an operating system that is secure and well-functioning when using a computer. This enables the operating system to be in a position to work efficiently since it is not at the risk of being affected by viruses. Any secure operating system should contain firewalls in order to prevent it from being hacked by unauthorized users who will destroy the information on the computer or gain knowledge that they are not supposed to. It also has antivirus software that protects the computer from viruses that can lead to computers stopping from functioning. Issues that can make an operating system unreliable and unstable are rectified before the operating is released. However, some problems are unnoticed, and they go through, and they are realized later after releasing the operating system. To fix these problematic issues, the manufactures of the operating systems release patches that can be downloaded from websites that they use. This helps to improve the reliability and stability of the operating systems.
- Ease of Management and Associated Utilities
Utilities built in a system can help to have a manageable operating system. The user of a computer should be given the ease of using it by the method used to provide and operate it to have efficient work. This is enabled by the Windows operating systems. The operating system also has a computer management tool that is used to manage the computer system. These managing tools include file compression tool, utility programs like disk defragmenter, and firewall used to increase space on the hard disc.
- Cost and User Support
Users, in most cases, tend to buy operating systems that are worth their money those making the cost of an operating system to be a vital factor. The three most used operating systems include Windows®, Linux™, and Mac™ OS, with each of them having different features that make them cost-effective. Despite this, the main area to consider when selecting an operating system is how well the user understands the operating system itself and again the amount of support that the system has in dealing with any issue that may arise.