Functions of an Operating
System
An operating system talks to
all the various aspects and resources of a computer system and manages
their activities in the system . These resources include :
1.The CPU the operating system provides control over its various tasks
which include :
- Fetching program instructions
from memory
- Control of data transfer
from a peripheral device
- In systems with many users
it will control access to data
Multi-tasking – controlling
the CPU usage while several tasks are being performed
2. Memory- accommodating and data
processing for numerous programs
- Loading programs into memory
when requested
- When no longer being used
it is responsible for unloading programs
- Uses memory space economically
by moving programs around
3. I/O Devices - the operating
system will control the use of peripheral devices and if in a multi-user
environment will ensure conflicts do not occur
4. Backing Storage-programs and files are stored and only loaded into
RAM when needed. The operating System :
- Manages the storage space
- Controls the transfer of
programs and files between RAM and backing storage
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