Define operating system.
Answer:
An operating system acts as an interface between the computer user and computer hardware.
It controls the execution of the computer system and is a set of programs that controls the entire
operation of the computer.
Explain the Roles/Functions/Features of operating system.
Answer:
The Operating System (OS) is responsible for managing various resources of the computer
system. In general, the OS performs the following core functions:
1. Input/Output Management: Refers to the communication between the computer
system and a user or application. The OS handles I/O devices (like the keyboard,
mouse, monitor, and printer) uniformly, preventing the intervention of the user program
during I/O operations.
2. Process Management: Manages the processes (programs running on the computer)
in the system. During execution, processes require resources such as CPU time, memory,
space, files, and I/O devices, and the OS handles the management of these resources.
3. File Management: Manages the files and directories that store data or information. The
OS allows users to perform tasks like saving, deleting, protecting, sharing, and naming
files.
4. Device Management: Deals with the management of peripheral devices attached to
the computer system, such as printers and disk drives. The OS manages I/O operations
performed by these devices, often using specific device drivers.
5. Security Management: Protects the computer system’s resources, which often store
sensitive data, against destruction and unauthorized access. It uses techniques such as
authorization and authentication for enforcing security.
6. Memory Management: Manages the memory resources, including primary memory
(RAM) and secondary storage. A key function is determining the amount of memory
allocated to each process during execution.
7. User Interface: This is the part of the OS that enables the user to input and receive
data. The OS reads, interprets, and executes commands entered by the user, providing
options like a Command Line Interface (CLI) or a Graphical User Interface (GUI).
8. Command Interpreter: Used for communicating with the OS and various system
resources. It gathers commands (such as Job Control Language or JCL), interprets them,
and directs system resources to process the user commands.
9. Interrupt Handling: An interrupt is a signal sent by a device to the processor requesting
attention. The OS detects this signal and temporarily suspends the currently executing
program to respond to the requested activity.
10. Virtual Storage: A fundamental memory management scheme that allows the OS to
overcome the physical limitation of RAM. It enables programs to execute even if only
partially loaded into physical memory.
11. Deadlock and its prevention: Deadlock is a state where a group of processes remains
indefinitely halted because each waits for a resource held by another in the group. The
OS includes functions to prevent or resolve this situation.
12. Time Sharing System: A technique that allows many users to share computer
resources simultaneously. The OS allocates small time slices of the CPU to several
programs, enabling efficient resource utilization.