...The Purpose and Functions of an Operating System Jaclyn Lacey NT1110 Thursday Evening Module 1 Short Answer Mr. Kelly The Purpose and Functions of an Operating System An OS (operating system) of a computer is necessary for ease of use, managing data and to interact with Input/output devices. It has 5 key functions; Boot the computer, Manage input and output devices, provide a GUI (graphical user interface) for user friendliness, manage system resources and manage data. There are three major Operating Systems. They are Windows, Linux and Mac OS. The Windows Operating System is the most user friendly operating system. It is used by many companies in a business setting as well as by others in home setting. It is the Operating System of choice for most computer gamers. As well as the geeky programmer type. It incorporates many applications such as a web browser, command line interface, word processor and file managing. It stores files in libraries that make it easy to find your files. It has had many versions the most commonly used today are Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8. Windows 95 was the first of the Windows OS’s all in one operating system and GUI. Linux is another Operating System. It is made to run on personal computers, gaming consoles, DVR’s, mobile phones and many other devices. About 1-2% of the US population uses the Linux OS. It can be freely downloaded by anyone. It is for the super geek programmer who may change the code writing...
Words: 657 - Pages: 3
...* PURPOSE AND FUNCTIONS OF AN OPERATING SYSTEM. * The main purpose of an operating system is that it defines an abstraction of hardware behavior with which programmers can control the hardware. An operating system also manages resources that are shared by other computer users. In addition, this system is an interface between hardware and users which manages and coordinates the activities and the sharing of the resources of the computer. It acts as a host for computing applications running on the machine * Functions Booting the computer The process of starting or restarting the computer is known as booting. A cold boot is when you turn on a computer that has been turned off completely. A warm boot is the process of using the operating system to restart the computer. Performs basic computer tasks The operating system performs basic computer tasks, such as managing the various peripheral devices such as the mouse, keyboard and printers. For example, most operating systems now are plug and play which means a device such as a printer will automatically be detected and configured without any user intervention. Provides a user interface A user interacts with software through the user interface. The two main types of user interfaces are: command line and a graphical user interface (GUI). With a command line interface, the user interacts with the operating system by typing commands to perform specific tasks. An example of a command line interface is DOS (disk operating...
Words: 943 - Pages: 4
...The Purpose and Functions of an Operating System What is an operating system? Why does my computer need one? Well, in one quick statement, the operating system allows you to give commands to your computer’s hardware; but it is a lot more complicated than that. The OS acts as a translator, translating commands you make, as well as, commands of applications that you use into numbers that the computer can understand. Without the OS your computer is virtually useless. Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, “What is the difference?” you may be asking. Well there are several differences. I guess the best way to show you the differences would be to start with windows (since it is the most well-known). Windows is the most popular operating system on the planet. Computer Science and Logic, First Edition says, “It is estimated that up to 90% of client computers use one of the various Windows versions.” That is a huge percentage of the market, which is why there are so many third party applications for Windows. Windows uses several end-user applications; for instance Internet Explorer is used to surf the web. Windows also uses command prompt for command-line interface, and it uses WordPad for a word processor. Windows is a little expensive if you buy just the software; however, it comes included on most lap tops and PCs. Now moving on to Mac OS, where windows controls an estimated 90% of the market, it is estimated that no more than 10% of the US population use Mac OS. Also, Applications...
Words: 556 - Pages: 3
...The purpose of an operating system is to simply run programs on a unified platform. An operating system is supposed to be invisible to the end user, what the end user interacts with are programs. The programs therefore interact with the operating system, the operating system interacts with the operating system kernel and the kernel interacts with the computer hardware. Therefore the kernel acts as an immediacy between the system hardware and software. There are many types of operating systems which are used for different purposes. Some types include: Real-time A real-time operating system is a multitasking operating system that aims at executing real-time applications. Real-time operating systems often use specialized scheduling algorithms so that they can achieve a deterministic nature of behavior. The main objective of real-time operating systems is their quick and predictable response to events. They have an event-driven or time-sharing design and often aspects of both. An event-driven system switches between tasks based on their priorities or external events while time-sharing operating systems switch tasks based on clock interrupts. Multi-user A multi-user operating system allows multiple users to access a computer system at the same time. Time-sharing systems and Internet servers can be classified as multi-user systems as they enable multiple-user access to a computer through the sharing of time. Single-user operating systems have only one user but may allow...
Words: 600 - Pages: 3
...– Computer Systems | Assignment number and title | 1 – Components of a computer system | Start date | 21/9/15 | Hand in date | 1/11/15 | Assessor | WMG | Scenario You are a junior technician in a small business and you are responsible for the IT. The business has 10 computers in all comprised of desktop computers and a server. There are six employees based in the Head Office and your company have taken on a junior employee called Jamil who will be expected to help you out perform basic administrative tasks in the office as well as maintain the ICT systems. Task 1 – Computer hardware components You need to make sure Jamil has a reference guide for the machines in the business to help him understand the environment he will be working in and in case any components fail. You need to put together a presentation slideshow on internal computer components. a) You need to explain the function of internal hardware components of a computer b) Discuss how the components communicate with one another The components are: * Processor * RAM * Hard drive * Power supply unit * Fan * Heatsink * Motherboard * Graphic card and sound cards * CD/DVD drive This task will allow you to provide evidence for: P1 - Explain the function of computer hardware components Task 2 – Jamil asks for advice Jamil is about to buy a new computer and tablet but wants to understand the differences between the operating systems on the different...
Words: 737 - Pages: 3
...the hardware and other software on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing inputfrom the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of filesand directories on the disk, and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers. For large systems, the operating system has even greater responsibilities and powers. It is like a traffic cop -- it makes sure that different programs andusers running at the same time do not interfere with each other. The operating system is also responsible for security, ensuring that unauthorized users do not access the system. Operating systems can be classified as follows: Multi-user: Allows two or more users to run programs at the same time. Some operating systems permit hundreds or even thousands of concurrent users. Multiprocessing : Supports running a program on more than oneCPU. Multitasking : Allows more than one program to run concurrently. Multithreading : Allows different parts of a single program to run concurrently. Real time: Responds to input instantly. General-purpose operating systems, such as DOS and UNIX, are not real-time. The major functions of an OS are: -resource management, -data management, -job (task) management, and -standard means of communication between user and computer. The resource management function of an OS allocates computer resources such as CPU time...
Words: 310 - Pages: 2
...The Purpose and Functions of an Operating System The purpose of the Operating System is to act as an intermediary between both you – user of the computer – and the hardware or application to perform any function. Whatever the task may be, you just need to enter the instructions for performing a specific task and the computer does it for you. The functions of an Operating System are: • Booting the computer • Managing input and output devices • Providing a GUI (Graphical User Interface) to create a user friendly environment • Managing system resources • Managing data Differences among Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X operating systems are: The Mac OS is the proprietary operating system used by Apple for their Macintosh computers. This operating system has been a favorite of multimedia designers, graphic artists, and musicians since the 1990s. Not more than 10% of the U.S. population uses the Mac OS. Mac OS uses its own web browser named Safari as opposed to Internet Explorer. Linux is an ever-expanding group of operating systems that are similar to Unix in their design. Linux was designed as an alternative operating system to Windows.However Linux has a much larger market share when it comes to servers and other computer devices. The command-line functionality in most Linux distributions is in-depth and well documented, allowing a user to configure, and troubleshoot, just about anything from within the “shell”...
Words: 333 - Pages: 2
...Level 3 90-credit Diploma In Information Technology (QCF) Unit no: 2 | Learner group: C2250, C0183, C0177, C0186, C0184, C0185, | Unit title: Computer Systems | Learner name: | Date issued: W/C 26th January 2016 | Assessor name: Mark Dollan | Completion date: W/E 1st Feb 2016 | Written by: M Dollan | Submitted on: | Verified by: Karl Indans | Assignment title: System Software & Configuration (ref: L3-CS02) | In this assessment you will have opportunities to provide evidence against the following criteria. Indicate the page numbers where the evidence can be found also PPD (Personal and Professional Development) and EE | Grading Criteria | Criteria ref | To achieve the criteria the evidence must show that the student is able to: | Task | Evidence | Page | P2 | Explain the purpose of operating systems | 1 | Written | | P3 | Explain the purpose of different software utilities | 3 | Written | | P6 | Configure a computer system to meet user needs | 5 | Practical | | P7 | Test a configured computer system for functionality | 6 | Practical | | M1 | Compare the features and functions of different operating systems | 2 | Written | | M3 | Evaluate the performance of a computer system | 7 | Written | | D1 | Explain how software utilities can improve the performance of computer systems | 4 | Written | | This is an official course assessment and you must make a good attempt at all criteria available, you must also make sure that you meet...
Words: 2093 - Pages: 9
...An operating system (OS) is a software program that manages the hardware and software resources of a computer. A key component of system software, the OS performs basic tasks, such as controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing the processing of instructions, controlling input and output devices, facilitating networking, and managing files. Modern general-purpose computers, including personal computers and mainframes, have an operating system (a general purpose operating system) to run other programs, such as application software. Examples of operating systems for personal computers include Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac OS (Darwin), and Unix. The lowest level of any operating system is its kernel. This is the first layer of software loaded into memory when a system boots or starts up. The kernel provides access to various common core services to all other system and application programs. These services include, but are not limited to: task scheduling, memory management, disk access, and access to hardware devices. Apart from the kernel, an operating system is often distributed with system software that manages a graphical user interface (although Windows and Macintosh have integrated these programs into the operating system), as well as utility programs for tasks such as managing files and configuring the operating system. Oftentimes distributed with operating systems are application software that does not directly relate to the operating system's core function, but...
Words: 592 - Pages: 3
...The three companies that I have observed are Wal-Mart, Wendy’s, and Starbucks. Each of these companies have a different purpose in the world, but they all provide goods to the consumer, either in the form of food, drink, or a multitude of other items. Every employee within each company has a function that will help the company meet their long-term goals, but to also further their reputation for the future. Each employee has a job, and that job create the daily success for each company. Wal-Mart and their employees have many different jobs ranging from cashiers, stocker, produce or deli clerks, bakery, management, and many other jobs. With such a wide variety of jobs with this business it is very important for the company to have a solid operating system. The operating system that Wal-Mart primarily uses seems to be a mass production system which means which means they have an operating system that uses automated machines and standard procedures that make the work routine and makes large numbers of standardized product. A standardized product means they have many products that are identical to one another, and this comes from getting them from suppliers that keep their cost low. The advantage in a mass production system is that it achieves high productivity, low operating cost, which turns into low product prices. Each employee has to have different set of skills that help them complete their jobs, and these skills have to be taught and learned in different ways. This means each...
Words: 1119 - Pages: 5
...Introduction Computer systems are extremely complex objects. Even the smallest systems consist of millions of individual parts. Each part is relatively simple in its function and easy to understand. It is only when these millions of simple parts interact with each other that we develop the complex structures that comprise our modern computing systems. In this lesson, we take a brief look at the major components of a computing system. In subsequent lessons, we will study each component in more detail. Many people have tried to classify computing systems in different ways, always with difficulty. We will look at some of the terminology used to describe different types of computing systems, from the ubiquitous micro to the extremely powerful supercomputer. Common terms, such as hardware and software, will be discussed. Different methods of processing data and information will be explained. After this brief survey, we will come back, in later lessons, and explore in greater detail the topics introduced here. Data and information processing have been previously defined as the transformation of unorganised raw material or data into useful information. This processing may be done manually or with the help of mechanical and electronic devices. It is common to refer to the collection of personnel, equipment, software, and procedures that perform the data and information processing functions as an information processing system. Very often, when a computer is used, the system is referred to...
Words: 4572 - Pages: 19
...The Purpose and Functions of an Operating System The operating system has a couple main functions that can be simply explained. First, it manages the software resources of the system and the hardware, such as the memory, processor, disk space and more. Secondly, it provides a consistent way for programs to deal with the hardware without having to know the ins and outs of the hardware. Amongst the three main big name operating systems, Windows, Linux and Mac OS X there are many differences. For starters Windows is the most complex, because it was created for each version to support the previous version. Windows is also very versatile in the fact that it can be installed in PC’s with a range of resources, from 64MB RAM and 233MHz processor to newer versions requiring up to 512MB RAM and Pentium 4 processors. Linux on the other hand has low resource requirements, in fact it is so versatile almost any PC can run Linux except Mac. Mac’s can only run Mac OS X, thus generally making them more expensive than other PC’s, in turn Mac OS X cannot be used on any other computer besides Mac. Linux also has a lot of free programs you can download, where Windows and Mac users have to pay for most programs. Windows is also the least secure and most susceptible the virus’s, both Linux and Mac are far more secure. Another plus for Linux is the fact that it is the most versatile you can change just about anything, if you can figure it out. On Mac and Windows there’s not much you can do to...
Words: 332 - Pages: 2
...P2-Explain the purpose of an operating system The Operating system is the most vital set of programs which runs on the computer. Its PURPOSE is to providing the very basic user interface there are no other programs or application running. The key roles of the Operating system are to recognise input from peripherals such as a mouse, keyboard, USBs, digital sketch pads and other input devices and also controls other peripherals such as printers and scanner. It also has the role of managing hardware resources such as data storage, memory, processors alongside input and output devices. M1-Compare the features and functions of different operating systems Introduction There are two main operating systems that I will be talking about, the names of these operating systems are Windows and Linux. These operating systems have similar properties, features and functions. However they also have different functions as well as features. I will be comparing the features and functions of the two different operating systems, Windows and Linux. Ability to customise Operating systems should be customisable, this means if operating systems have the ability to change their backgrounds of desktops, colour schemes and changing the layout. Windows XP, Vista,7 and 8, all allow you to customise the background of the desktop. This means that a picture...
Words: 1232 - Pages: 5
...----- 6-20-2016NT1110_______Module1_Lab.doc Describe the purpose and functions of an operating system. The purpose of an operating system is to guide a computer or network in the performance of its tasks, assists the programs with certain supporting functions and increases the usefulness of the computer or network hardware. The functions of an operating system are to handle the interface to peripheral hardware, schedules tasks, allocates storage and presents a default interface to the user when no application program is running. Explain at least 5 differences among Windows, Linux and Mac OS X operating systems. Windows 1. Most commonly used OS on client computers. 2. All-in-one OS/GUI 3. Uses Internet Explorer web browser. 4. Incorporates many applications for end-user including word pad, command prompt and windows explorer. 5. Developers focus most on compiling programs that run efficiently on Windows. Linux 1. Has a larger market share when it comes to servers and other computer devices. 2. Option of using GNOME or KDE GUI’s. 3. Free to download but licensed under GPL. 4. Apps are meant to run on various Linux platforms but can also be compiled to run in Windows and Mac OS X. 5. KDE is a more powerful environment that includes a web browser called Konqueror. Mac OS X 1. Is not compatible with PC hardware. 2. Is not compatible with PC-based OS (Windows and Linux) 3. Uses anti-aliasing technologies. 4. Uses color sync technologies. 5. Uses drop shadow...
Words: 257 - Pages: 2
...The purpose and function of an operating system is, to manage software that manages the computer hardware and software resources. It also provides common services for the computer programs, an operating system is a vital part of a computer system, and most applications require an operating system. An operating system acts as a middle component between the applications and you the person who is using it, and the hardware or applications that are trying to perform any function. An operating systems starts when, you first turn on your computer and ends when you turn your computer off. Some of the functions of an operating system are, booting your computer up, an operating system manages input and output devices that you are using on your computer. An operating system also provides a graphical user interface to create a user- friendly environment for the person who is running the operating system. An operating system also manages system resources and manages data. One difference among Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X operating systems is, Mac OS X operating system is, Mac OS is the operating system used by apple for their Macintosh computers. Mac OS has an Intel processors however, it is not compatible with regular PC-hardware and PC- based operating systems, such as windows or Linux. A second difference among Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X operating system is, Linux is an open source program that is ever expanding. This means anyone is able to change it if they have the knowledge...
Words: 557 - Pages: 3
