Operating system

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Revision as of 14:52, 1 September 2016 by Mr. MacKenty (talk | contribs)
Operating system placement.svg.png

An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware and software resources and provides common services for computer programs. All computer programs, excluding firmware, require an operating system to function.[1]

An operating system manages:

  1. Memory
  2. Processes
  3. Boot-up / Shutdown process
  4. Files
  5. Security
  6. CPU Scheduling
  7. Devices, Device I/O
  8. Interrupts
  9. The user interface, most often a GUI but also a CLI

Different operating systems[edit]

  1. Linux
  2. OS X
  3. WIndows
  4. iOS
  5. Android OS
  6. Google chrome OS (Based on Linux)


Do you understand this topic?[edit]

  • Describe the main functions of an operating system.

Do you have an advanced understanding about this topic?[edit]

  • Describe how an operating system manages the functions you have just described above.

References[edit]