Sunday, 3 August 2014

OPERATING SYSTEM DEFINITION

What is an Operating System?
Ø  A program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware.
Operating system provided a CLI(command line interface) and GUI to the users.
CLI :this interface provides a command prompt,and the user has to type all the commands to perform certain functions.eg:DOS
GUI:this interface allows manipulation of software by using objects such as windows,pull down menus,mouse pointers and icons.
Ø  Operating system goals:
o   Execute user programs and make solving user problems easier.
o   Make the computer system convenient to use.
Ø  Use the computer hardware in an efficient manner.
Ø  Computer system can be divided into four components
o   Hardware – provides basic computing resources
§  CPU, memory, I/O devices
o   Operating system
§  Controls and coordinates use of hardware among various applications and users
o   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
o   Users
§  People, machines, other computers
Ø  OS is a resource allocator
o   Manages all resources that include processor,memory-disk space-I/O devices and so on.
o   The Operating System provides an error handling procedure and displays an error  notification.
Ø  OS is a control program
·         Controls execution of programs to prevent errors and improper use of the computer.
Ø  Providing an interface: The operating system organizes applications so that the users can easily access,use and store them.
·         When an application is opened,the os tells the application to provide a major part of the interface.

·         If the application program is not functioning properly,OS takes the control ,stops the application,and displays an appropriate error message.

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