Operating Systems

Concepts
LECTURE 1 - INTRODUCTION
Definitions

 A program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a

computer and the computer hardware.
 An operating system (OS) is the program that, after being initially
loaded into the computer by a boot program, manages all the
other programs in a computer.
 The application programs must be written to run on top of a particular
operating system.
Objectives

 Convenience
 Make the computer convenient to use
 Efficiency
 Allows computer resources to be used in an efficient manner
 Ability to evolve
 Due to Hardware Upgrades
 For incorporating new features/enhancements
 Fixes for bugs and errors
Computer System Architecture
Contd.

 Computer system can be divided into four components:

 Hardware – provides basic computing resources
 CPU, memory, I/O devices
 Operating system
 Controls and coordinates use of hardware among various applications and users
 Application programs – define the ways in which the system resources are
used to solve the computing problems of the users
 Word processors, compilers, web browsers, database systems, video games
 Users
 People, machines, other computers
What does it do?

 Computer operating systems perform basic tasks, such as:

 Recognizing input from the keyboard
 Sending output to the display screen
 Keeping track of files and directories on the storage drives
 Controlling peripheral devices, such as printers.
 For large systems, the operating system has even greater
responsibilities and powers.
 It is like a traffic cop — it makes sure that different programs
and users running at the same time do not interfere with each other.
 It is also responsible for security
Roles of an Operating System

 As a User Interface
 OS is an interface between a computer hardware and a user.
 As a Resource Manager / As a control program
 Manages all resources
 Decides between conflicting requests for efficient and fair resource use
OS a User Interface

 Provides following services

 Program Development (Editors, debuggers, etc.)
 Program Execution
 Access to I/O Devices
 Controlled access to Files
 System Access (Protection of resources & data in shared/public
systems)
 Error detection & reporting (Hardware & Software errors both)
 Job Accounting
OS as a Resource Manager

 The OS system provides an orderly and controlled allocation of

the processors, memories and I/O devices. When a computer
has multiple users the need for managing and protecting the
memory, I/O devices and other devices is greater. Thus the
primary task of OS is to keep track of who is using which
resource, to grant resource requests, to mediate conflicting
requests from different programs etc.
Kernel

 The kernel is a computer program that is the core of a

computer's operating system, with complete control over
everything in the system.
 The critical code of the kernel is usually loaded into a protected
area of memory, which prevents it from being overwritten
by applications or other, more minor parts of the operating
system.
 Consists of most frequently used functions
 Also called nucleus
Modes of Operation

 Kernel Mode
 In Kernel mode, the executing code has complete and unrestricted
access to the underlying hardware. It can execute any CPU instruction
and reference any memory address. Kernel mode is generally reserved
for the lowest-level, most trusted functions of the operating system.
 User Mode
 In User mode, the executing code has no ability to directly access
hardware or reference memory. Code running in user mode must
delegate to system APIs to access hardware or memory. Due to the
protection afforded by this sort of isolation, crashes in user mode are
always recoverable. Most of the code running on your computer will
execute in user mode.
Important Functions/Services Elaborated

 Memory Management
 Processor Management
 Device Management
 File Management
 Security
 Control over system performance
 Job accounting
 Error detecting aids
 Coordination between other software and users
Memory Management

 Memory management refers to management of Primary Memory or Main

Memory. Main memory is a large array of words or bytes where each word or
byte has its own address.
 Main memory provides a fast storage that can be accessed directly by the
CPU. For a program to be executed, it must in the main memory. An
Operating System does the following activities for memory management
 Keeps tracks of primary memory, i.e., what part of it are in use by whom, what part
are not in use.
 In multiprogramming, the OS decides which process will get memory when and
how much.
 Allocates the memory when a process requests it to do so.
 De-allocates the memory when a process no longer needs it or has been
terminated.
Processor Management

 In multiprogramming environment, the OS decides which process

gets the processor when and for how much time. This function is
called process scheduling. An Operating System does the following
activities for processor management
 Keeps tracks of processor and status of process. The program
responsible for this task is known as traffic controller.
 Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process.
 De-allocates processor when a process is no longer required.
Device Management

 An Operating System manages device communication via their

respective drivers. It does the following activities for device
management −
 Keeps tracks of all devices. Program responsible for this task is known as
the I/O controller.
 Decides which process gets the device when and for how much time.
 Allocates the device in the efficient way.
 De-allocates devices.
File Management

 A file system is normally organized into directories for easy

navigation and usage. These directories may contain files and
other directions. An Operating System does the following activities
for file management:
 Keeps track of information, location, uses, status etc. The collective
facilities are often known as file system.
 Decides who gets the resources.
 Allocates the resources.
 De-allocates the resources.
Other important services

 Following are some of the other important activities that an Operating System
performs:
 Security − By means of password and similar other techniques, it prevents
unauthorized access to programs and data.
 Control over system performance − Recording delays between request for a service
and response from the system.
 Job accounting − Keeping track of time and resources used by various jobs and users.
 Error detecting aids − Production of dumps, traces, error messages, and other
debugging and error detecting aids.
 Coordination between other softwares and users − Coordination and assignment of
compilers, interpreters, assemblers and other software to the various users of the
computer systems.
THANK YOU!