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Understanding Operating Systems Basics

The document provides an overview of operating systems, defining them as programs that manage hardware resources and establish user interfaces. It discusses the role of the kernel, types of operating systems for PCs, networks, and large computers, as well as utility programs that assist with secondary tasks. The document concludes with a practical scenario about choosing an operating system for a laptop and addressing performance issues related to disk space management.

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Ashwathy Sridhar
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4 views9 pages

Understanding Operating Systems Basics

The document provides an overview of operating systems, defining them as programs that manage hardware resources and establish user interfaces. It discusses the role of the kernel, types of operating systems for PCs, networks, and large computers, as well as utility programs that assist with secondary tasks. The document concludes with a practical scenario about choosing an operating system for a laptop and addressing performance issues related to disk space management.

Uploaded by

Ashwathy Sridhar
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CSCI015: COMPUTER APPLICATIONS

LECTURE 3 – OPERATING SYSTEMS

Khan, Z. R. (2012) University of Wollongong in Dubai


What is an operating system?

Exercise 1

Video 1
Video 2

What are the key differences between the


two videos?
What is an operating system?

 Set of programs that lies between hardware


and application software

• Manages computer’s
resources (CPU, peripheral
devices)
• Establishes a user interface
• Determines how user
interacts with operating
system
• Provides and executes
services for applications
software
• Type of system software
So what is a Kernel?

• Manages the operating system


• Loaded from hard drive into
memory when computer is
booted
• Booting refers to starting
the computer

• Loads other operating system


programs from disk storage as
needed
• Other programs referred to as
nonresident
OS for PCs

Platform: combination of computer hardware and operating system


software

Graphical
user Interface
OS for Networks

Called Network operating system (NOS)


• Sharing resources (hard disks and
printers)
• Data security
• Troubleshooting
• Administrative control
OS for large computers

• Resource allocation:
assigning and computer
resources to certain
programs and processes for
their use
• Main issues related to
resource allocation
• Sharing the Central
Processing Unit
• Sharing memory
• Sharing storage resources
• Sharing printing resources
Utility Programs

• Perform secondary chores


• Examples
• File manager
• File compressor
• Backup: make copies of disks and store in
a safe place
• Restore: restore files from backups
• Disk defragmenter: reorganizes disk so all
files are stored in contiguous locations
• Device driver: handles commands for
devices, such as printers and storage
devices

Back
The BIG question…
 You are buying a mid-range laptop for yourself before you
commence your next semester at the University.

 What operating system are you likely to opt for to make


your work easy?

 A month into your new semester, you have downloaded a


lot of programs, software, movies, shared files, had many
windows opened at the same time while writing reports for
your subjects and your laptop seems to be slowing down.
Occasionally you get a pop-up that asks you clean up your
disk to free some space.

 What software will you use to perform a disk clean up?


 What type of software is your previous answer?

Let’s discuss the answers

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