Some Operating system knowledge is essential

Some Operating system knowledge is essential

With the level of internet domination in the modern world, operating system knowledge is indispensible for an average person to be considered learned. This article gives computer newbies some basic operating system knowledge, considering that they are the nexus of the computer.

For a computer to run a program (sometimes called application or software), the machine must be able to perform a number of preparatory operations to ensure exchange between the processor, memory, and physical resources (hardware).

The operating system (OS) is responsible for connection between the hardware, user and application resources (word processing, video game, etc.). So when a program wants to access a hardware, it is not necessary for it to send specific information to the device, it suffices to send the information to the operating system, which is responsible for transmitting them to the device concerned via its drivers. In the absence of drivers, each program should recognize and take into account the communication type of each device.

The operating system allows for the "separation" of programs and hardware, and especially simplifies the management of resources and provides the user with a simplified man-machine interface (MMI) that will enable them break through the complexity of the physical machine.

Functions of the operating system

In order to acquire more operating system knowledge, it is imperative to know the functions of the operating system which are as follows:

• Management of the Processor: The operating system is responsible for managing the allocation of the processor between the various programs through a scheduling algorithm. The type of scheduler is totally dependent on the operating system, according to the objective.
• Management of the RAM: the operating system is responsible for managing the memory space allocated to each application and, where appropriate, to each user. In case of insufficient physical memory, the operating system can create a memory disk drive, called "virtual memory". The virtual memory lets you run applications that require more memory than available on the system. On the other hand this memory is slower.
• Input/output management: the operating system makes it possible to unify and control access to hardware resource programs through drivers (also called device drivers or input/output managers).
• Managing the execution of applications: the operating system is responsible for the proper execution of applications by giving them the resources necessary for their proper functioning. It therefore permits for the "destruction" of an application that is no longer responding properly.
• Management of rights: the operating system is responsible for safety relating to performance of programs by ensuring that resources are used by programs and users with appropriate rights.
• File management: the operating system manages reading and writing within the file system and access rights to files by users and applications.
• Information management: the operating system provides a number of indicators to diagnose the correct operation of the computer.

Components of the operating system

For further operating system knowledge, it is important to know the components of an operating system. The operating system consists of a set of software to manage interactions with the hardware. This set of software is generally divided into the following:

• The kernel represents the core functions of the operating system such as management of memory, processes, files, main input-output and communication features.

• The command-line interpreter is used to communicate with the operating system through a command language to allow the user control the devices while ignoring the characteristics of the hardware being used, management, physical addresses, etc.

• The file system (FS) is used to save files in a tree-like structure.


Multithreaded systems

Multithreaded systems are another essential aspect of operating system knowledge for newbies. An operating system is multithreaded when several "tasks" (also called processes) can run simultaneously.

Applications are composed sequences of instructions called "threads". These threads are alternately active, pending, suspended or destroyed, according to the priority associated with them or executed sequentially.

An operating system is said to be preemptive when it has a scheduler that distributes, according to priority, the CPU time between requested processes.

An operating system is called time-sharing when a time quota is allocated to each process by the scheduler. This is particularly true for multi-user systems that allow multiple users to work simultaneously on the same computer for different or similar applications: the system is hence called “interactive system”. To do this, the operating system allocates each user a time slot.


Multiprocessing systems
Multiprocessing is a technique of running multiple processors side by side in order to obtain more computing power than that obtained with a high-end processor, or to increase the availability of the system (in case of a processor breakdown).

An SMP (Symmetric Multiprocessing or Symmetric Multiprocessor) is an architecture in which all processors access a shared memory space. A multiprocessing system should not only be able to manage memory sharing between multiple processors but also to distribute workload.


Embedded Systems
Embedded systems are operating systems designed to run on small machines such as PDAs (personal digital assistants) or autonomous electronic devices (spacecraft, robot, vehicle computer-board, etc.), with reduced autonomy. Thus, an essential characteristic of embedded systems is their advanced management of energy and ability to operate with limited resources.

The main embedded systems for the general public for personal digital assistants are:
• Windows CE / Windows Mobile / Smartphone Window
• PalmOS


Real Time Systems
Real-time systems, mainly used in the industry, are systems whose purpose is to function in a time constrained environment. A real-time system must thus operate reliably in accordance with specific time constraints, that is to say, it should be able to deliver proper processing of received information at well-defined time intervals (regular or not).

Some examples of real-time operating systems are:
• OS-9;
• RTLinux (RealTime Linux);
• QNX;
• VxWorks.
This article on basic operating system knowledge is in no way an exhaustive resume of all that needs to be known about operating systems. It is simply a run down of the most basic elements for a newbie in the computer world to be aware of. It should serve to improve their knowledge of operating systems.

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