What is Operating System? You must have heard about the operating system. And maybe you know about it too. But in this post, we will learn about the operating system in detail. Types of Operating system, Sub-types Of OS, How it works and what works, etc

 I think after that there will be no doubt in your mind about the operating system. But if you want to ask anything about it, then mention it in the comment. 
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What is Operating System?

You must have used a mobile or computer. And must have overheard the name of Android, Windows, Linux, iOS. These are different names of the operating system. They also have different types. 

As for Android, Android KitKat, Android Lollipop, Android Oreo, etc. And similarly, if we talk about Windows. It also has different names like Windows 10, Windows 10 Home, Windows 8, etc. 

Just as a person is nothing without his heart, just like a computer or mobile is nothing without an operating system. It is also called the heart of the computer. It is also called OS in short.

Say anything the operating system or system software does not matter. An operating system is an interface between a user and a computer. The operating system is a means of using a computer. If you are doing anything on the computer such as typing, gaming, or running any application, they all run due to the operating system.

In simple words, OS is a software that runs a computer. If it talks about its main work, then it takes any input then gives the output according to the user instructions. A large program or software is required to run games, Adobe Photoshop, VLC Media Player, MS Word, and more multiple softwares which is named operating system. 

Similarly, the mobile also has an Android operating system. And it also has different types.

Operating system names

  1. Microsoft Windows OS
  2. Google's Androids OS
  3. Apple iOS 
  4. Apple macOS
  5. Linux Operating System
Windows 10

These are the names of Operating systems companies, not the types. Apart from this, there are other names but people use them more.

What operating system works?

Normally when we turn on the computer, the first operating system is started. The operating system is loaded into RAM memory. After this, the user gives instructions to the software which hardware to run.

Let's know about the different functions of the operating system in detail.
  1. Memory Management
  2. Processor Management (Process Schedule)
  3. Device Management
  4. File Management
  5. Security
  6. System performance monitoring
  7. Report error
  8. The synergy between software and user

#1. Memory Management

See, it is known that the operating system manages memory. The computer has two types of memory. The first is the Main memory and the second is Secondary memory. Main memory is very important to manage. Main Memory of a computer is RAM. And as you know how valuable RAM is required to run a computer.

The main memory consists of small boxes containing data stored in them. Every box has an address. Ram is the fastest running memory. The more RAM the computer has, the faster it will be.

What operating systems do for memory management?

  • Which part of memory will be used and which will not be used. How much will be used, how much will not be used? It determines everything operating system.
  • In multiprocessing too, OS decides how much memory to give to which process.
  • When we do a task on a computer, there is a process that requires memory. Distributed memory only by the operating system
  • When the process is over, the operating system takes the memory back.

#2. Processor Management(Process Schedule)

When multitasking is happening on the computer, the operating system decides which task to process and how much. This is called process scheduling.

 In the task manager of your computer, you can see which process is running in which task and which task is finished. The operating system controls all these processes.

 When one task ends, the operating system also performs the task of putting the processor in another task. And if there is no task, it frees the processor.

 There is a program of the operating system called the traffic controller. The traffic controller does all the processing work.

#3. Device Management

There are different drivers for running different functions of a computer. Like a wifi driver to run wifi, Bluetooth driver for running Bluetooth, Similarly, there are separate drivers for running everything. And the operating system works to run all the drivers.

  • The operating system has a program called I/o Controller. Its job is to track the computer-connected devices like mouse, keyboard, etc.
  • Many devices are connected to the computer. Some of which are output devices and some are input devices. How to process all devices is the work of the operating system.

#4. File Management

There are a lot of files on a computer. Some of which are permanent and some are temporary. The file system manages all files, which is a part of the operating system. 

The operating system performs the task of organizing the files' locations, status, size. 

#5. Security

As with all processes, computer security is also very important. First of all, there is a desktop screen lock system. When the device is turned on, it asks for a password. This system stops unauthorized access to the operating system.

This program is one of the most important programs in the operating system. Apart from this, there are many more programs for security which the operating system processes according to the need.

#6. System performance monitoring

The operating system monitors the performance of the computer. And keeps improving it from time to time. Overall, the operating system maintains computer software. Just as everything needs maintenance, so does computer software.

#7. Report Error

Just like there is auto-maintenance on the computer. When there is an error in the computer, the operating system detects it. And fixes it automatically.

#8. The synergy Between Software and user

When we do some work on the computer, all the work is done in the form of coding which only the computer can understand. Understanding that coding is difficult for the user. Therefore, to correct the synergy between the user and the software, the operating system decodes the coding. Performs the task of connecting the user with the software.

Operating System Features

  • Runs programs according to user interactions.
  • Input devices and output devices are controlled according to the user instruction. This work is also done with the help of the operating system.
  • The responsibility of running all applications lies with the operating system.
  • The operating system also performs processor distribution. This means how many processes have to be passed to which software.
  • The system detects and fixes the errors otherwise it informs the user.
  • Increases understanding between user and computer.
In the next article, we will talk about the types of operating systems. Hope you have got some knowledge.