What Is an Operating System?
An operating system is the software that is fundamental to the operation of a computer system.
Typical operating systems include Windows and macOS. A typical computer consists of output devices, input devices, storage devices, control devices, and computing devices.
It is inefficient to prepare a program for each application software to access these five devices. Therefore, the operating system provides centralized access to this hardware and acts as an intermediary between the application software and the user.
Uses of an Operating System
Operating systems are the basic software used in most electronic devices in which CPUs are used. It is the system software that manages the hardware and software to run the computer and is responsible for the basic operations involved in making the computer accessible to users.
Operating systems are used in electronic devices that run applications. They are used in personal computers used in offices and homes, in factory computers used to control production lines in factories, and in smartphones. They are also often used as the basic software in the servers that support cloud computers.
Operating systems include Windows and macOS used in offices and homes, UNIX and Linux used in servers, iOS and Android used in smartphones, and VxWorks and iTron used in embedded systems.
Principle of an Operating System
Operating systems mediate between application software, users, and hardware through abstraction. Abstraction allows users to operate without being aware of the differences among various hardware types.
Also, the application software can be accessed without modification. Hardware providers can also provide device drivers that follow the rules defined by the operating system, allowing many applications to be used without modification.
The operating system abstracts the main resources of the computer as follows:
Types of Operating Systems
There are various types of operating systems, each used in different fields.
1. Desktop
Windows and macOS are mainly used. Since they are operated by humans, they are developed with an emphasis on ease of use of the user interface.
2. Server
It can handle numerous threads and processes efficiently.
3. Mobile
iOS and Android are the mainstream. They are characterized by user interfaces and communications specialized for mobile use.
4. Real-Time OS
It is an operating system developed with the priority of responding within a certain time frame. It is mainly used in industrial computer systems.
Other Information About the Operating System
Main Functions of the Operating System
I/O Control
I/O control is the connection of a computer to peripheral devices. Various peripheral devices, such as keyboards, mice, printers, displays, and external hard disks, are connected to the computer. Input from the keyboard and mouse and output to the display for viewing or writing to an external hard disk is controlled.
Task Management
It determines the order in which multiple processes, such as the execution of an application on a computer or input processing from a keyboard or mouse, are performed in parallel, and allocate the memory and CPU necessary for the processes.
File Management
It manages data stored in storage devices and provides a means of access for users and applications.