What is the operating system
In this article you will learn what is the Operating System and why is it required? Just think how easy it is to use a computer today, what would be as easy as fifty years ago. Not Blikul, but even a percentage of the activities that modern computers do, could not be done by those systems.
This is the reason, that we see the operating system as computer evolution ie computer development. Earlier computers were very complicated. That is, it was not possible for an equal person to use them. If you have to do any work through computer, then there was an operator for it, which used to input your program into C.P.U.
That is to say, there was no direct interaction between a user and a computer. To address this difficulty, the operating system was invented. Although it was not able to win today’s OS, but it made the computer a bit modern. So let’s come to the topic now and first of all, what is the Operating System? Then we will understand the other aspects of it.
Table of contents
What is Operating System
Operating System or “OS” is a software that acts as an interface between user and computer. That is, manages computer hardware and application program. In simple words, it is a system software that helps you communicate with the computer without learning computer language.
The purpose of an operating system is to make the use of computers convenient and efficient. Operating system is required by the user to run other programs in any computing device (Desktop, Laptop, Mobile, Tablet etc.). Some well-known OS examples include Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Chrome OS and Windows Phone OS.
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Specifically, the function of an operating system is to protect the user from hardware complexity and manage computational resources. The OS concept was first introduced in the 1950s to manage tap storage. Operating system can also be understood from the following definitions:
- Operating system is a program that maintains and manages hardware and other software on a computer.
- OS is a system software, with the help of which users are able to use the computer in an easy and better way.
- It is a special type of software, which controls and monitors the execution of all the programs available in the computer. These programs include application programs and other system software.
- Operating system is the most basic program within a computer system, which works as an intermediary between program and computer hardware, for hardware functions like input / output and memory allocation.
- The OS is an integrated system of programs monitoring the operation of C.P.U. These systems provide various support services along with controlling the input / output and storage functions of the computer.
Importance of Operating System
The following points indicate the need for the operating system:
- Computers have more than one computer program running at a time, and all of them require your computer’s central processing unit (CPU), memory and storage. The operating system manages resources for all those programs. That is why the operating system is also called resources manager.
2) It is almost impossible for a user to use a computer system without an operating system, because many processes run simultaneously when a program is executed. Which is not easy for a person to manage.
3) The OS creates a communication link between the user and the computer, so that the user can run any application program properly and get the required output.
4) You use your mouse to open the application and click on the menu. All this is possible due to modern operating system. This OS allows you to do this with the help of GUI (Graphical user interface).
5) Operating system helps the user in file management. Through this, the user can save the data systematically according to his needs.
6) Multitasking is an extremely important feature of the operating system. With its help, we are able to run many programs at one time.
7) The OS provides a platform to run any application program in the computer. Due to which we can do our work with the help of that application.
Apart from this, there are many such features of the OS, due to which we are able to take advantages of modern technologies. So let’s now take a look at some important functions of the operating system.
Function of Operating System
By now you must have known how important the operating system is to a computing device. The OS performs many important tasks for these devices. The various tasks to be performed by the operating system are as follows.
Process Management
As we know, CPU can execute only one process at a time. But we are able to run multiple programs simultaneously in our computer or mobile. This happens because the OS facilitates those processes in a multi-programming environment. That is, all operating systems decide when and how long the process will access the CPU ready for execution.
This function of the OS is called process scheduling. Apart from this, the OS monitors the status of the process and processor and when the process is complete, the processor ie de-allocate the CPU. Programs that monitor the status of the process and the processor are known as traffic controllers.
Memory Management
Memory management is a major task that is performed by the operating system. Whenever we execute an application or program, it is first loaded in main memory. Now if we execute many programs at one time, all of them will require memory. Here the main memory (also called primary memory) is managed by the operating system.
The main memory is intimately connected to the CPU, so it is very fast to move instructions and data in and out of the processor. In multi programming the OS ensures that memory can be used by all the processes so that the system can function properly.
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An operating system performs various functions for memory management. For example, the memory keeps track of which process is used and which part is not. When a process demands memory, it allocates memory. De-allocate the memory when the process does not require it or the process is finished.
Hardware Management
Each hardware device performs a different function, but the OS manages device communication with the help of respective drivers (a type of software). There is a separate device driver for each hardware device. These drivers make communication between other software and hardware successful.
All hardware devices connected to the system are tracked by the OS. A program called I / O controller is used for this. The OS decides which con process will access a certain device and for how long. In addition, the operating system allocates the hardware device effectively and efficiently. De-allocates devices when they are not required.
File managment
We arrange them in directories so that the files in the computer can be used with easy navigation and in an efficient manner. Under which an operating system plays an important role. For example, the OS sees that data is the said store as well as helps in finding resources. These collective features are often referred to as the file system.
Security
The OS ensures that only an authorized user has access to the computer and its data. Password protection and other technologies are used by the operating system to do this. Data is an important part of any computer system. If it reaches the reach of another person, then they can use and manipulate the data illegally.
Provide user interface
The operating system acts as an interface for the user to be able to use computer resources. This can be a Graphical user interface (GUI), in which the user clicks on-screen elements to communicate with the OS. Apart from this, it can be the command-line interface (CLI), in which the user commands the OS to perform the task.
Error reporting
To avoid system malfunction, the OS continuously detects errors coming in it. The operating system uses various methods to detect errors.
See System Performance
The operating system monitors the overall performance of our computer as well as keeps us informed of the status of the CPU. With this help, we can see how busy our CPU is, or how quickly our hard drive retrieves data, etc. An operating system has the job of recording all the activities taking place in the system.
Goal of Operating System
When we turn on the computer, a code is loaded into the main memory by the hardware from the permanent memory. The instructions in the code work to run the operating system in the computer. Once the operating system is started in the computer, it is responsible for starting the application program and managing the hardware resources required for them.
The main two goals of an operating system are Convenience (Efficiency) and Efficiency (Efficiency). For example if you had to understand how an operating system works before using a computer. So guess what, it would have been convenient for you. Absolutely not, that’s why the OS has been made so easy, that anyone can use it very easily. In addition, the efficiency of an operating system is also an important goal.
Types of Operating Systems
Operating systems are of the following types:
- Batch Operating System
- Multi programming Operating System
- Multitasking Operating System
- Distributed Operating System
- Network Operating System
- Real Time Operating System
- Time Sharing Operating System
- Multiprocessing Operating System
To know in detail about all these operating systems, read this post – Types of operating system in hindi
Operating System Video Lectures
You can also understand this topic through the vide o given below. In which Sanchit Sir (YouTube Channel -Knowledge Gate) has explained the operating system very well.
Conclusion
In this post you have learned what is the Operating System and why is it required? Hopefully, after reading the post, you will have got complete information about the operating system and its functioning. If you are interested in the subject of technology, then you must subscribe to our newsletter. You will find it at the bottom or home page. Apart from this, if you have any question or suggestion, then do tell through the comment. Thank you.