An Operating System can be defined as an interface between user and hardware.
It is
responsible for the execution of all the processes, Resource Allocation, CPU management, File
Management and many other tasks.
The purpose of an operating system is to provide an environment in which a user can execute
programs in convenient and efficient manner.
A Computer System consists of:
● Users (people who are using the computer)
● Application Programs (Compilers, Databases, Games, Video player, Browsers, etc.)
● System Programs (Shells, Editors, Compilers, etc.)
● Operating System ( A special program which acts as an interface between user and
hardware )
● Hardware ( CPU, Disks, Memory, etc)
Process Management in OS
A Program does nothing unless its instructions are executed by a CPU. A program in execution
is called a process. In order to accomplish its task, process needs the computer resources.
There may exist more than one process in the system which may require the same resource at
the same time. Therefore, the operating system has to manage all the processes and the
resources in a convenient and efficient way.
Some resources may need to be executed by one process at one time to maintain the
consistency otherwise the system can become inconsistent and deadlock may occur.
The operating system is responsible for the following activities in connection with Process
Management :-
1. Scheduling processes and threads on the CPUs.
2. Creating and deleting both user and system processes.
3. Suspending and resuming processes.
4. Providing mechanisms for process synchronization.
5. Providing mechanisms for process communication.