Operating System Fundamentals

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What is an operating system?

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A system software that allows users and application programs to interact with computer hardware in an easy and convenient manner.

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What are the major functions of an operating system?

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1. Creates a virtual machine interface between the user, application program, and hardware. 2. Acts as the computer’s resource manager or resource allocator. 3. Functions as the program launcher.

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What are the two parts of an operating system?

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1. Kernel - the heart and soul of the operating system, responsible for controlling computer hardware and performing services. 2. Shell - the interface between users and the kernel, often called the command interpreter.

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What are the two basic types of shell?

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1. Command Line Interface (CLI) - requires users to type commands at a prompt. 2. Graphical User Interface (GUI) - users enter commands using drop-down menus or by clicking on icons.

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What services are provided by the operating system?

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1. Program Execution 2. Access to I/O devices 3. File System Management 4. System Access 5. Error Handling 6. Communication

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What are the core components of an operating system?

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1. Process Manager - also called the Process Scheduler or CPU Scheduler. 2. Memory Manager - ensures programs have sufficient memory space to execute. 3. File Manager - organizes files in secondary storage and presents an interface to users. 4. I/O Manager - manages different I/O devices.

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What characterizes the Serial Processing (First Generation) of operating systems?

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1. No operating systems; computers were 'bare' machines. 2. Only one user at a time. 3. User commands entered using toggle switches. 4. High-level programming languages developed and stored in punched cards.

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What is the Batch Systems (Second Generation) in operating systems?

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A solution to inefficient use of expensive computers by grouping similar jobs and processing them together as a batch.

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What is Multiprogrammed Systems (Third Generation) in operating systems?

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The concurrent execution of two or more programs by a single CPU.

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What is Time Sharing Systems (Fourth Generation) in operating systems?

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An extension of multiprogramming where the operating system assigns the CPU to a user or process for a short period, known as time slice or time quantum.