Operating System : Objectives and Functions

An Operating System is a program that controls the execution of application programs and act as an interface between application and computer hardware. It provides an environment within which other programs can do work. It is a software which performs all the basic tasks like file management, memory management, process management, handling input and output and controlling peripheral devices like printers and disk drivers.

What does an OS do?

Computer system is divided into 4 components.

1.    Hardware – It provides basic computing resources such as CPU, Input Output devices.

2.    Users – It includes people, machines, and other computers.

3.    Operating system – controls and coordinates the use of hardware among various applications and users.

4.    Application programs – define the ways in which the system resources are used to solve the computing problems of the users. It includes Word processors, compilers, web browsers, video games, database systems.

Objectives of an OS:

    The primary goal of operating system is Convenience, Efficiency and Ability to evolve.

·        Convenience- It means an OS makes computer user friendly.

·        Efficiency - It means it allows computer to use resources efficiently.

·        Ability to evolve- It means it is constructed in a way to permit effective development, testing and introduction of new functions without interfering with service.

Functions of an OS:

Almost there are many functions which are performed by an OS but to list some main functions whose main aim is to provide an interface between user and hardware. They are as follows:

1.    Process Management: Process Management means all the Processes those are given by the user or the Process those are System‘s own Process are Handled by the Operating System.

2.    Memory Management: Memory management provide the Memory to the Process and Also Deallocate the Memory from the Process.

3.    Device Management: An Operating System will have device drivers to facilitate I/O functions involving I/O devices. These device drivers are software routines that control respective I/O devices through their controllers.

4.    File management: File system normally organized into directories for easy navigation and usage. These directories contain file and other directories. Operating system does following activities for file management .Keep track of information location, use, status, etc.

5.    Security Management: Security management refers to providing a protection system to computer system resources such as CPU, memory, disk, software programs and most importantly data/information stored in the computer system.