Operating system

Operating system (OS) is a type of software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides various services for computer programs. The operating system is an essential component of the system software in a computer system.

History

The concept of an operating system was first introduced in the 1950s with the development of the earliest mainframe computers. Early operating systems were very different from the sophisticated, multi-tasking systems we use today. They were simple programs designed to manage and control hardware resources, such as memory, I/O devices, and storage devices.

Functions

The primary functions of an operating system include managing the computer's resources, such as the central processing unit, memory, disk drives, and printers, providing an interface for users to interact with the system, and running applications.

Process Management

The operating system manages processes in a system. This includes the creation, scheduling, termination, and synchronization of processes.

Memory Management

The operating system is responsible for managing the computer's memory, including the RAM and the hard disk drive.

File System Management

The operating system manages files on the computer, including creating, deleting, moving, and copying files.

Device Management

The operating system manages the interaction between the user and the hardware devices of the computer.

Types of Operating Systems

There are several types of operating systems, including batch, time-sharing, multiprocessing, real-time, network, distributed, and mobile operating systems.

Examples of Operating Systems

Examples of popular operating systems include Microsoft Windows, macOS, Linux, and Unix. Mobile devices typically run operating systems like Android or iOS.

See Also

• Computer architecture
• Computer hardware
• Computer software
• System software