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    Operating System Basics

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    The document discusses operating system basics, including: - The operating system is the most important program that runs tasks like managing hardware/software resources and providing a user interface. - Operating systems perform basic tasks like input/output management and file storage organization. For large systems, the OS ensures different programs don't interfere with each other and handles security. - Common types of operating systems include real-time, single-user/single-tasking, single-user/multitasking, and multi-user/multitasking. The document provides details on each type.

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    Operating System Basics

    Uploaded by

    ali
    82 views35 pages
    The document discusses operating system basics, including: - The operating system is the most important program that runs tasks like managing hardware/software resources and providing a user interface. - Operating systems perform basic tasks like input/output management and file storage organization. For large systems, the OS ensures different programs don't interfere with each other and handles security. - Common types of operating systems include real-time, single-user/single-tasking, single-user/multitasking, and multi-user/multitasking. The document provides details on each type.

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    Operating System Basics (1)

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    The document discusses operating system basics, including: - The operating system is the most important program that runs tasks like managing hardware/software resources and providing a user interface. - Operating systems perform basic tasks like input/output management and file storage organization. For large systems, the OS ensures different programs don't interfere with each other and handles security. - Common types of operating systems include real-time, single-user/single-tasking, single-user/multitasking, and multi-user/multitasking. The document provides details on each type.

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    Download as pdf or txt
    82 views35 pages

    Operating System Basics

    Uploaded by

    ali
    The document discusses operating system basics, including: - The operating system is the most important program that runs tasks like managing hardware/software resources and providing a user interface. - Operating systems perform basic tasks like input/output management and file storage organization. For large systems, the OS ensures different programs don't interfere with each other and handles security. - Common types of operating systems include real-time, single-user/single-tasking, single-user/multitasking, and multi-user/multitasking. The document provides details on each type.

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    You are on page 1of 35

    Chapter 7

    Operating System Basics


    Operating System

    • The operating system (OS) is the most important program


    that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer
    must have an operating system to run other programs
    and applications.

    • 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
    disk, and 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. The operating system is also responsible
    for security, ensuring that unauthorized users do not access the
    system.
    Operating system
    Functions of Operating Systems

    • Provide a user interface


    • Run programs
    • Manage hardware devices
    • Organized file storage

    7A-
    7A-55
    Types of Operating Systems

    • Real-time operating system


    • Is an application that responds to certain inputs extremely quickly-
    thousandths or millionths of a second.
    • Very fast small OS
    • Built into a device
    • Respond quickly to user input
    • It can support multiple simultaneous tasks or it may only
    support single tasking.
    • MP3 players, Medical devices, machinery, life support
    system
    Types of Operating Systems

    • Single user/Single tasking OS


    • One user works on the system
    • Performs one task at a time
    • MS-DOS and Palm OS
    • Take up little space on disk
    • Run on inexpensive computers
    Types of Operating Systems

    • Single user/Multitasking OS
    • User performs many tasks at once
    • Most common form of OS
    • Windows XP and OS X
    • Require expensive computers
    • Tend to be complex
    Types of Operating Systems

    • Multi user/Multitasking OS
    • Many users connect to one computer
    • Each user has a unique session
    • UNIX, Linux, and VMS
    • Maintenance can be easy
    • Requires a powerful computer
    Multi user/Multi tasking OS
    Providing a User Interface

    • User interface
    • How a user interacts with a computer
    • Require different skill sets
    Providing a User Interface

    • Graphical user interface (GUI)


    • Most common interface
    • Windows, OS X, Gnome, KDE
    • Uses a mouse to control objects
    • Uses a desktop metaphor
    • Shortcuts open programs or documents
    • Open documents have additional objects
    • Task switching
    • Dialog boxes allow directed input
    Graphical User Interface
    Providing a User Interface

    • Command line interfaces


    • Older interface
    • DOS, Linux, UNIX
    • User types commands at a prompt
    • User must remember all commands
    • Included in all GUIs
    Command Line Interface
    Running Programs

    • Many different applications supported


    • System call
    • Provides consistent access to OS features
    • Share information between programs
    • Copy and paste
    • Object Linking and Embedding
    • The operating system provides a consistent interface between application
    programs and the user.
    • It is also the interface between those programs and other computer
    resources such as memory a printer or another program.
    • Programmers write computer programs with built in instructions called
    system calls that request services from operating system.
    Operating System Services:
    • Saves the contents of files to a disk for permanent storage.
    • Reads the contents of a file from disk into memory.
    • Sends a document to the printer and activates the printer.
    • Provides resources that let you copy or move data from one
    document to another, or from one program to another.
    • Allocating RAM among the running programs
    • Recognizing keystrokes or mouse clicks and displaying
    characters or graphics on the screen .
    A hierarchical file system
    The operating system acts as an intermediary
    between the software and the hardware.
    O.L.E. (Object Linking and
    Embedding - data is copied from
    one type of document and
    embedded into another. The data
    that is copied retains a link with
    the original document.
    Multitasking
    - means being
    able to perform two or more
    procedures at the same time--
    such as printing a multipage
    document, sending e-mail
    over the Internet, and typing a
    letter--all simultaneously.
    Managing Hardware

    • Programs need to access hardware


    • Interrupts
    • CPU is stopped
    • Hardware device is accessed
    • Figure 6A.14
    • Device drivers control the hardware
    Interrupt Request
    (IRQ) -
    used by the operating system
    to send requests to use
    memory and other hardware
    devices attached to the
    computer system.
    Enhancing an OS

    • Utilities
    • Enhance OS capabilities.
    • Provide services not included with OS
    • Goes beyond the four functions
    • Firewall, anti-virus and compression
    • Prices vary
    Enhancing an OS

    • Backup software
    • Archives files onto removable media
    • Ensures data integrity
    • Most OS include a backup package
    • Many third party packages exist
    Backup Software
    Enhancing an OS

    • Anti-virus software
    • Crucial utility
    • Finds, blocks and removes viruses
    • Must be updated regularly
    • McAfee and Norton Anti-Virus
    Enhancing an OS

    • Firewall
    • Crucial utility
    • Protects your computer from intruders
    • Makes computer invisible to hackers
    • Zone Labs is a home firewall
    • Cisco sells hardware firewalls
    Enhancing an OS

    • Intrusion detection
    • Often part of a firewall package
    • Announces attempts to breach security
    • Snort is a Linux based package
    Enhancing an OS

    • Screen savers
    • Crucial utility for command line systems
    • Prevents burn in
    • Merely fun for GUI systems
    • Screen saver decorates idle screens
    Chapter 7
    End of Chapter

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