''OPERATING SYSTEM''
LEARN IT , UNDERSTAND IT , ENJOY IT.
1. Explain what is meant by the term, ‘operating system’
A Software Use to operate the system hardware. It manages all the devices and provides user programs a simple interface to the hardware.
It runs on the kernel mode. It basically performs two basically unrelated functions- extending the machine managing resources.
2. What are the main functions of an Operating System?
An operating system is a group of computer programs that coordinates all the activities among computer hardware devices. It is the first program loaded into the computer by a boot program and remains in memory at all times.
3. List examples Operating Systems
The basic functions of an operating system are:
Booting the computer
Performs basic computer tasks e.g. managing the various peripheral devices eg mouse, keyboard
Provides a user interface, e.g. command line, graphical user interface (GUI)
Handles system resources such as computer's memory and sharing of the central processing unit (CPU) time by various applications or peripheral devices
Provides file management which refers to the way that the operating system manipulates, stores, retrieves and saves data.
4. Explain what is meant by a ‘single user, single application’ operating system
A single-user operating system is a type of operating system (OS) that is developed and intended for use on a computer or similar machine that will only have a single user at any given time. This is the most common type of OS used on a home computer, as well as on computers in offices and other work environments. There are two general types of single-user systems: single task and multitasking systems. Though this OS can be connected to other systems through a network, it is still truly only used by a single person and is different than a multi-user OS.
5. Give an example of a device which might use a single user, single application operating system
6. Explain what is meant by a ‘single user, multi-tasking’ operating system
You will find this kind of operating system on a personal computer.
- Window( all versions)
- Linux
- Mac OS X Leopard