LESSON 3: OPERATING SYSTEM

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, the learners should be able to:
1. Define what is an operating system
2. Identify the functions of an operating system

OPERATING SYSTEM
 a software program that enables the
computer hardware to communicate
and operate with the computer
software.
 It provides common services for
execution of various application
software using a whether a command
line interface or a Graphical User
Interface (GUI) operating system that
is much easier to use and operate.
 For hardware functions such as input and output and memory
allocation, the operating system acts as an intermediary between
application programs and the computer hardware.

Since the computer only understand computer language such as the binary
numbers (0 and 1), The operating system acts as a
bridge for the communication between the user and
the computer system.

The operating system does the following functions to

the computer to make it a user-friendly device:
1. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
The resource management function of an OS allocates computer
resources such as CPU time, main memory, secondary storage,
and input and output devices for use.

A. Memory Management
 refers to management of primary memory or main
memory. Main memory is a large array of words or
bytes where each word or byte has its own address.
 Keeping track of which parts of memory are currently
being used and by whom and which part are not in
use.
 Deciding which processes
and data to move into and
out of memory.
 Allocates the memory
when a process requests
it to do so.
 De-allocates the memory
when a process is no
longer in need or it has
been terminated.
B. Processor Management
 Deals with scheduling the work done by the
processor or the
central processing
unit to ensure that
each process and
application receives
enough processor’s
time to function
properly.
 The OS must
allocate the
resources to the processor, enables processes to
share and exchange information, protect the
resources of each process from other processes and
enable synchronization among processes.
 Keeps tracks of processor and status of
process. The program responsible for this task.
 Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process. And
  De-allocates processor when a process is no
longer required.

C. Device Management
 Manages device
communication via their
respective drivers.
 Decides which
process gets the
device when and for
how much time.
 Keeps tracks of all
devices. Program
responsible for this
task is known as the
I/O controller.
 Allocates and de-allocates the device in
efficient way.

D. File Management
 It organizes file and
directories for easy
navigation and usage.
 The directories may
contain files and other
directions.
 Keeps track of
information,
location, uses,
status etc. The
collective facilities are often known as file
system.
 Decides who can get the resources.
 Allocates and de-allocates the resources.

2. SECURITY
It protects the computer hardware and
software by means of password and other
similar techniques to prevent unauthorized
access to programs and information stored
in the computer.
 3. ERROR DETECTING AIDS
It gives alert or warning to the user if there is
production of dumps, traces, that may harm the
computer itself.

4. JOB ACCOUNTING
Keeping track of time and resources used by various
jobs and users.

5. CONTROL OVER SYSTEM PERFORMANCE

Recording delays between request for a service
and response from the system.

6. COORDINATION BETWEEN OTHER SOFTWARE AND USERS

Coordination and assignment of compilers,
interpreters, assemblers and other software to
the various users of the computer systems.

ACTIVITY:
Tell whether if the following statement is correct, write TRUE, if not, underline
the word that makes the statement wrong and write the right answer on the
blank.

____________1. The operating system acts as a bridge between the computer

hardware and software.
____________2. Operating system can understand human language.
____________3. Operating system allows everyone to gain access of individual
files and information stored in the computer.
____________4. A computer device understands only characters 0-9.
____________5. An operating system organizes and protect files in the
computer.
____________6. Operating system allocates and dislocates computer files.
____________7. It manages device communication to the respective drivers.
____________8. It keeps track of time and resources used by various jobs and
users.
____________9. Processor is a large array of words or bytes where each word
or byte has its own address.
____________10. It organizes file and information for easy navigation and
usage.

ASSIGNMENT:

1. Give two examples of an operating system. Describe each.

REFERENCES

1. https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/o/os.htm
2. http://operatingsystemfundas.blogspot.com/2012/05/post1.html
3. https://www.tutorialspoint.com/operating_system/os_overview.htm