CS9601 P1 Mrs Soorjonowa

OPERATING SYSTEM
OPERATING SYSTEM - OS
 Fundamental piece of software used on a computer, pre-loaded on computers
 Without OS, hardware is useless
 Defined as a set of software designed to run in background on a computer system, giving an
environment in which application software can be executed.
 Acts as an interface between hardware and software as well as programs requesting
input/output.
 Hides the complexities of hardware from the user, through ‘Virtual machine’
 Provides a ‘buffer’ between hardware and user, hence allowing a simple interface without the
loss of computational powers.
 Provides Human Computer Interface [HCI] using Graphical User Interface [GUI]
 Manages resources (hardware) for a controlled allocation of memory, storage, processor time
and I/O devices among various processes sharing them.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS OF OS
 Allocates ‘time slot’ to processor jobs (Processor Management)
 Job Control involves:
o Loading and unloading programs
o Providing continuous processing
o Passing control from one program to another
o Ensure job priorities are respected (in correct order)
 Provides user interface
 Manages applications
 Manages files (file Management)
 Manages memory (Memory Management)
 Manages system security – IDs & passwords (Security Management)
 Handles Hardware - Input/Output (I/O Management)
 Provides error handling mechanism (Error Management)
 Maintains log of system use
 Handles Interrupt (Interrupt Management)

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TASKS OF OPERATING SYSTEM

Several tasks are performed by practically all OS, regardless of the complexity of the computer:

1) MANAGING COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SOFTWARE AND

HARDWARE
 For example, loading and saving data and programs
 Communicating with peripherals (I/O)
 Organising data on storage media, example hard disk
 Displaying information on monitor
 Managing all tasks and operations
2) ALLOCATION OF COMPUTER MEMORY
 Memory must be shared between processes and managed
 Working on a document, displaying on monitor, music download; part of OS and
other background tasks will all be allocated some part of memory and processor time.
3) ALLOCATION OF PROCESSOR TIME
 When several tasks are executed at the same time (apparently) on a computer, a time
slot will be allotted to each task to use processor time.
 Some processes have high priority and others low.
 Some require very little processing time (eg. printing) whilst others need continuous
processing time
4) FILE MANAGEMENT
 OS controls data transfer from hard disk to memory and vice versa
 OS maintains a directory of all files and free spaces on disk (Hence, quickly and
easily located). This directory is called FAT (File Allocation Table).
 OS effectively manages file to ensure existing files are not overwritten and the space
left by deleted files are available for new files.

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SYSTEM SOFTWARE
Types of OS
1) BATCH PROCESSING
 Data collected and batched, before processing is launched
 Large amounts of similar data processed
 Does not require human intervention
 Applications: Payroll, Utility Bills, Cheque clearance.
2) REAL TIME PROCESSING
 Processing carried out immediately, i.e., as soon as data occur to influence the
next input (if needed)
 Update in real-time , i.e., immediately
 Applications: Robot, Process Control, Supermarket, Flight Control,
Reservation
3) SINGLE USER
 Only one user and several programs at a time.
4) MULTI TASKING
 Allows several applications to be available or running simultaneously
5) MULTI USER
 More than one user can use system simultaneously
(a) NETWORK SYSTEM
 SERVER – controls all other machines in network
 CLIENT – many users attached server for purpose of communication and sharing
of resources
(b) TIME SHARING SYSTEM
 A single powerful computer connected to a number of terminals with limited
processing capabilities.
 Allows sharing of resources through time slots allocated to terminals.

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Types of User Interfaces

USER INTERFACE –means of communication between user and machine or application
software.

1) COMMAND-BASED INTERFACE
 Need to know all commands and their effects as user needs to type in commands to
communicate
2) FORM-BASED INTERFACE
 Prompts user to input data in a predefined form in correct order, in appropriate check
controls, example, input buttons, radio buttons, etc
3) MENU-BASED INTERFACE
 A list of options available to choose from
 Used mostly with touch screen(s)
4) GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
 GUI makes use of WIMP features – Windows Icons Menus Pointers
 A combination of these are used to communicate between hardware and software
5) NATURAL LANGUAGE
 Conversational Interface to give impression of talking to computer.