2. What does a operating
system do?
The operating system is the most important program that
runs on a computer; computers must have one to connect
with any other computer. The operating system manages
the hardware of the computer and also the software
uploaded to the computer.
There are several types of operating systems; these are:
-Real-time
-Multi-user vs. Single-user
-Multi-tasking vs. Single-tasking
-Distributed
-Embedded
4. Main functions of a
Operating System
• Processor management
• Memory management
• Device management
• Storage management
• User interface
5. The role of the OS in
managing the processor
• Controls what goes to the CPU as the CPU can
only do one thing at a time.
• The processor has a function called the
buffer which the operating system
controls, the buffer is a small area of storage
usually placed in the RAM. Basically the
buffer is like a little holding area which then
lets the processor look at the data properly
before giving it to another device. Which
boosts computer performance/processor
speed.
6. Storage management
• The OS has a file allocation for memory
storage, it is a table that the OS uses to
locate files on a disk.
• The buffer could also be linked to storage as
that is technically what it does its stores a
small amount of data for a short while, while
the computer does what it needs to.
7. Memory management
• Provides ways to give of memory to programs at the
users request.
• The Operating System uses drivers to control the
memory in the computer and what's used of it, and
where it goes.
8. User interface
• The user interface of an operating system lets the
user interact with the operating system, send out
commands etc.
• There are two types of user interface known as: CLI
and GUI.
• It seems that CLI is a interface that is difficult to use
as to GUI which can be navigated around with much
more ease and it is also more familiar to the
common computer user.
9. Device management
• lets you view and change the properties of all devices
attached to your computer.
• Operating systems always need drivers, this is
because drivers control devices, for example the OS
comes with standard drivers for the keyboard,
monitor and so on.