What is Operating System (OS) and Its Functions?

Operating System (OS) –

Operating System is an interface between the user and the hardware and enables the interaction of a computer’s hardware and software.

Also, an operating system is a software which performs all the basic tasks like file management, memory management, storage management, process management, handling input and output, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers.

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Operating System Functions –

All Operating system functions are shared below –

1. DEVICE MANAGEMENT –

Operating System manages device communication via their respective drivers.

It does the following activities for device management −

Keeps tracks of all devices. I/O controller is responsible for this task
Decides which process gets the device when and for how much time.
Allocates the device in an efficient way.
De-allocates devices.

2. FILE MANAGEMENT –

The operating system allocates and de-allocates resources. It regulates which process gets the file and for what duration. Also, it keeps track of information, location, uses, status etc.

The collective facilities are often known as a file system. OS also performs tasks like creating directories and files, copying/moving them and renaming/deleting files.

3. MEMORY MANAGEMENT –

Memory management refers to the management of primary or main memory. Main memory provides fast storage which can be accessed directly by CPU.

When the program is executed and finished, the memory area is freed which can be used for other programs. Computer memory is arranged such that fastest registers come 1st followed by the CPU cache, random access memory, and then disk storage.

The operating system’s memory manager coordinates the use of various types of memory, which is to be allocated or de-allocated and how to move data between them

4. PROCESS MANAGEMENT –

Every program running on a computer is a process whether it is in the background or in frontend. The operating system is responsible for making multiple tasks to run at the same time (multitasking).

Operating system finds the status of processor and processes, chooses job and its processor allocates processor to process and de-allocates process when it’s executed.

5. MASTERMIND –

Mastermind is one term we can rightfully use for Operating system. Reason – Operating system performs a multitude of functions which only can be performed by super-intelligent mind hence the term “Mastermind”.

OS provides Booting without an Operating System
Provides Facility to increase the Logical Memory of the Computer System by using the Physical Memory of the Computer System.
OS controls the Errors that have been Occurred into the Program
Provides Recovery of the System when the System gets Damaged.
Operating System breaks the large program into the Smaller Programs those are also called as the threads. And execute those threads one by one

6. STORAGE MANAGEMENT –

Operating System controls all Storage Operations. Some of these include – how to store data or files into the computers and how users will access the files. The operating system is Responsible for Storing and Accessing the Files. Creation of Files, Creation of Directories and Reading and Writing the data of Files and Directories and also Copy the contents of the Files and the Directories from One Place to Another Place.

Related – Distributed Operating System

You can also watch this video for better understanding:

Types of Operating System (OS) –

All different operating system types are listed below –

Windows
iOS
MAC OS
Ubuntu
Novell Netware
Unix
Linux

Related- LINUX vs UNIX

Mobile Operating System

These are some of Mobile Operating System –

iOS
Symbian
Blackberry
Windows
Android OS
Bada

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rashmi Bhardwaj

I am here to share my knowledge and experience in the field of networking with the goal being – “The more you share, the more you learn.”

I am a biotechnologist by qualification and a Network Enthusiast by interest. I developed interest in networking being in the company of a passionate Network Professional, my husband.

I am a strong believer of the fact that “learning is a constant process of discovering yourself.”
– Rashmi Bhardwaj (Author/Editor)