Role Of Operating Systems

Fig 1 Role of OS

Software that manages the computer's hardware and software resources is known as an operating system (OS). It enables software to communicate with a computer's hardware. The operating system handles interfacing with the hardware because most software isn't written to communicate with each specific piece of hardware. However, certain applications can interact with hardware directly.

The early computers lacked an operating system. The entire code needed to run the computer had to be included in every programme. Each computer software became sophisticated and challenging to develop as a result. Since then, operating systems have been created, and one of their functions is to contain the computer-running code. This makes it simpler to create numerous apps for a shared operating system as opposed to for separate computers.

The same fundamental tasks that keep your computer working smoothly are carried out by all operating systems, regardless of whether they are well known or specially designed for a specific piece of hardware, like the one you are using right now:

• Process management
• File management and Backing storage management
• Inputs, outputs, and interrupts
• Memory management
• Security

1. Process Management

                                                                   Fig 2 Process Management

On a computer, the operating system works behind the scenes when a programme is opened to make sure that all of the hardware is processing the appropriate instructions at the appropriate times. It begins by pulling the pertinent data from the secondary storage and loading it into the main memory to accomplish this.

The Processor is then told to carry out the operations required to launch that program.

A system with just one processor While the OS uses a scheduler to switch processes in and out of the processor so that it appears to the user that the machine is performing multiple activities at once, Core can only handle one process at a time. For instance, enabling you to concentrate on your homework while using a word processor and a song from an online streaming service. Multitasking is what this is. Modern computers frequently have many cores, which improves their multitasking abilities. Each core can only handle one process at a time, though.

2. Memory Management.

A process requires data and instructions that must be present in main memory. The OS runs a memory manager software to make sure of this.

• Keeps track of what portions of memory have been allocated
• Maps memory to each process
• Determines how much memory to allocate to each process
• Determines when a portion of memory should be available for a process

3. File Management and backing storage management

You may be acquainted with the fact that you may carry out operations on files and folders if you've used an operating system like Microsoft Windows or Mac OS. Examples of these operations include:

• Creating
• Renaming
• Moving
• Deleting

These helpful user interface features are provided by an operating system to assist the user in organizing how they would like to manage their files. The operating system manages the storage and retrieval of data in the background. So that they may be promptly accessible when needed, the operating system keeps note of where the files are kept on the secondary storage device.

   3.1 Backing storage management

Any non-volatile memory storage device is referred to as backing storage. So that they may be easily retrieved when needed and loaded into main memory, the operating system preserves a directory of where files and programmer are kept. Instead of having to look for available space each time a user wants to save a file, maintaining a directory speeds up storage and conserves computational resources.

4. Management of inputs, outputs, and interrupts

The operating system's use of input and output (I/O) devices is a key function.

There are several ways the OS manages I/O devices:

• It keeps track of which device needs processor time so that there are no conflicts when the processor and the device communicate.
• Based on the control signals that the I/O device sends and receives, it prioritizes the operations.

The OS can interrupt what is presently being executed and switch to the more important task if an I/O device makes a more urgent request than what is currently being done.

4.1 Interrupts

The character that is typed into a word processor should appear practically instantly when the user pushes a key on the keyboard. The user might feel irritated while typing if this process had to wait until all of the other processes had finished functioning. Devices utilise interruptions instead to devote time to tasks that are judged urgent. A signal known as an interrupt is sent to the CPU to demand rapid action. When the CPU gets this request, it pauses what it's doing and starts the interrupt-related procedure.

The following are some causes of processor interruption:

• A hardware component has indicated that it needs to process some data.
• A piece of hardware has finished the job that was given to it.
• A software process requires the performance of an OS function or a service.
• An action must be taken because the allowed amount of time has passed.
• There has been a hardware issue that needs to be fixed.

Most of us have experienced the circumstance where we were impatiently waiting for software to load while frantically clicking away on a mouse. Sadly, doing so is unproductive because every click prevents your processor from finishing the task you want it to.

5. Security

By preventing unauthorized access to system resources, the operating system contributes to the security of a device.

In order to ensure that only users with permission to access the system can use it, most operating systems give users the option to create user accounts.

Users who have been given admin powers can also grant particular permissions to other users, such as controlling which files they can access and alter. They can also assign rights, such as the power to add new users or carry out programmed installations or removals.

Operating systems often include security specific utility software such as:

• Firewalls
• Anti-malware
• Checks for software updates

Conclusion

Operating systems are essential to our existence and carry out several tasks that improve our quality of life. Operating systems play a crucial role in every aspect of our daily life, from connecting to the internet to managing our files and programs. We trust that this article has helped you gain a better knowledge of how operating systems work and how they might improve your life. Keeping up with the most recent versions is crucial since operating systems are always developing and getting better.

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Reference 

1. https://www.linkedin.com/learning/working-with-computers-and-devices/understand-the-role-of-an-operating-system#:~:text=It's%20the%20backbone%20of%20your,you%20the%20time%20of%20day.
2. https://www.linkedin.com/learning/tech-recruiting-foundations-2-understanding-hardware-and-operating-systems/importance-of-operating-systems

Created By :-

1. Swapnil Patil
2. Devyani Ushir
3. Komal Shinde
4. Aditya Vhanmane