By
Dr. M.O. Eze
Department of Computer Science,
Babcock University, Ilisan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
INTRODUCTION
What is OS? New Concepts OS Tasks Design
Preliminaries
An OS is a program that manages a
computer’s hardware. It also
provides a basis for application
programs and acts as an
intermediary between the computer
user and the computer hardware.
1. The operating system (OS) is the program that runs on a computer
to manage and control its activities.
2. The Operating System is a program that acts as an intermediary
between a user of a computer and the computer hardware, thus
making it possible for the computer system to be utilised in a
convenient and efficient manner.
2. Windows (98, NT, 2000,
Vista,, etc)
1. MS/DOS OS
5. IBM OS/390
4. UNIX
3. Mac OS
6. VMS OS
OPERATING SYSTEMS
APPLICATION PROGRAMS: The program written by user to
solve a particular problem is known as application program. For instance, a
program to computerize the population size of a community.
QUE: Students should give some other examples.
SYSTEM PROGRAMS: A system program is one that manages the
computer system usage. Example of a system program is the OS.
QUE: Student should give other examples.
DEVICE DRIVER:
This is a program that is specially written to control a device, or
set of devices. An example is Printer Driver. When one buys a
hardware device, the manufacturers usually give the driver in a
storage device, such as CD to the buyer. The driver is usually
installed before the device works well.
BOOTSTRAP PROGRAM:
This is a program loaded at power-up or reboot of a computer
system. It is typically stored in ROM or EPROM. It initializes
all aspects of system. It also loads operating system kernel and
starts execution.
CACHING:
Caching is a technique used to speed up communication between fast and
slow devices involved in OS memory related operations. The CPU usually
reads data much faster from the primary memory than it can from a disk or
network connection. Hence, the OS assigns a special memory area known as
cache to keep the frequently used information. Thus the primary memory
acts as a cache for the secondary memory. Caching could also refer to
keeping a local copy of data for convenience.
MULTIPROGRAMMING:
Multiprogramming allows multiple programs to run simultaneously by
sharing the CPU. The CPU is much faster than the other components. As a
result, it is idle most of the time; for example, while waiting for data to be
transferred from the disk or from other sources. A multiprogramming OS
takes advantage of this by allowing multiple programs to use the CPU when
it would otherwise be idle. For example, you may use a word processor to
edit a file while the Web browser is downloading a file at the same time.
MULTITHREADING:
Multithreading allows concurrency within a program, so that its
subunits can run at the same time. For example, a word-
processing program allows users to simultaneously edit text and
save it to a file. In this example, editing and saving are two tasks
within the same application. These two tasks may run on
separate threads concurrently.
MULTIPROCESSING:
Multiprocessing, or parallel processing, uses two or more
processors together to perform a task. It is like a surgical
operation where several doctors work together on one patient.
1. SYSTEM CONTROL:
Operating systems are responsible for controlling the operations of the
systems/users. It ensures that users do not unnecessarily hold to system
resources, and keep them idle without usage. Operating systems also make
sure that different programs and users running at the same time do not
interfere with one another.
2. RESOURCE ALLOCATION:
The OS is responsible for determining what computer resources a
program needs (e.g., CPU, memory, disks, input and output
devices) and for allocating and assigning them to run the program.
3. SYSTEM SECURITY/PROTECTION:
The owners of information stored in a multiuser or networked computer system may
want to control use of that information, concurrent processes should not interfere
with each other
–Protection involves ensuring that all access to system resources is
controlled.
-Security of the system from outsiders requires user authentication,
extends to defending external I/O devices from invalid access attempts.
-If a system is to be protected and secure, precautions must be instituted throughout
it. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
4. RESOURCE ACCOUNTING:
The OS is responsible for accounting for resource use.
5. ERROR DETECTION/RESPONSE.
OS needs to be constantly aware of possible errors.
a. Errors may occur in the CPU and memory hardware,
in I/O devices, in user program
b. System takes appropriate actions in case of errors.
c. System provides debugging facilities.
1.
2.
Internally, 3.
OSs vary The design of
an OS is a These 4.
greatly in
their major task. goals form Because an
makeup, Thus, the the basis OS is large
since they goals of the for choices and
are system among complex, it
organized should be well various must be
along defined algorithms created
many before the and piece by
different design strategies. piece.
lines. begins.
Source: Abraham Silberschatz et. al, “OS
Concepts”, 9th Ed
1. It is important for students to understand the
position of the OS vis a viz other components of the
Computer System.
2. The student should understand the OS in terms of
its role as compared to a typical government in a
contemporary world.
1. Moore’s Law
In the 1960s, Moore predicted that the number of
transistors on an integrated circuit would double
every eighteen months, and that prediction has held
true. Computers gained in functionality and shrunk
in size, leading to a vast number of uses and a vast
number and variety of operating systems.
ASSIGNMENT
1. Explain what you understand by Moore’s Law
and how it has affected development of
Computing in the recent times.
2. Write a short note on EEPROM
3. Find out what is meta-data.
4. In your own opinion, what type of Operating
System could be used in managing a Nuclear
Plant?
5. List five UNIX commands and briefly mention
what each does.
Abraham Silberschatz, Peter Galvin, and Greg Gagne,
"Operating System Concepts", 9th Ed, Published by
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., NJ USA, 2013
