90 likes | 163 Views
Explore the essential role of operating systems in computer systems, from initializing hardware to managing program execution. Learn about the parts, features, and significance of OS in facilitating software development and system operations.
E N D
The Operating System By J. W. Rider 2 September 2003
A working definition • Software (program and/or data)… • … initializes hardware components • … interface with users and/or programs • … manage program execution • Examples: • CP/M, DOS, Univac Exec, Genie, Linux, MacOS, MS Windows, Multics, OS, p-System, Share/7, Solaris, Tenex, T.H.E., TOPS, Unix, VMS
Tip of the Iceberg • Most users might think of the OS as just what they can see… • But, most of the OS proper is hidden out of sight.
Systems existed before the OS • Originally, computer systems were designed for a specific purpose. One computer; one application. App App App App
Reusable computer systems • General-purpose computers made programming a separate discipline. One computer; many applications. App App App App
The OS makes distributed software practical • The advent of the OS made application and systems programming separate disciplines. Application OS OS
Parts of the OS • Kernel • The barest essential code • Services • Device drivers • Application Programming Interface (API) • Shell • What the user sees
OS Features • Task scheduling • Input/output functions • Library routines • Named file system • Logging • Multiuser, multitasking, multithreading • Memory management
OS “Package” • OS Proper • Other system software • Optional hardware drivers • Development software • Backup and recovery • Other application software • Word processing • Data-base management