Use of Operating Systems
The most vital part that runs on a computer is the operating system. It controls the memory and operations of the computer and its related software and hardware. It allows you to communicate with the computer even if you don’t understand its language.
The operating system (OS) on your computer controls all applications and hardware. Several computer programs are usually operating simultaneously, and they all require access to your computer’s central processing unit (CPU), memory, and storage.
The operating system acts as a user-to-hardware interface. An operating system allows a person to take control of hardware and program it to perform specific tasks.
Operating system classifications
Most people use the operating system that came with their computer, but you can upgrade or even replace it. Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux are the three most widely used operating systems on personal computers.
Windows:
Microsoft established the Windows operating system in the mid-eighties. Windows 11, Windows10, Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows Vista are the most different versions. Most new PCs come with Windows pre-installed, making it the world’s most popular operating system.
macOS
Apple’s macOS operating system is a series of operating systems. Every Macintosh computer, or Mac, comes with it pre-installed. Mojave, High Sierra, and Sierra are some of the specific versions.
Linux
An open-source operating system, Linux is among the best that anybody can modify and distribute worldwide. Anybody can modify the open-source software. Linux has the advantages of being accessible and having various versions to select with the slightest chance of virus attack.
Mobile device operating systems
Mobile devices, tablets, and MP3 players are not the same as desktop and laptop computers; they run operating systems created expressly for them.
Operating systems functions:
Processor Management: An operating system controls the processor’s operation by allocating various workloads, ensuring that each process has adequate time to complete its tasks.
Memory Management: An operating system manages the allocation and deallocation of memory to various processes, ensuring that the memory allotted to one process is not affected by another.
Device Management: A variety of input and output devices are available. An operating system controls the operation of these input-output devices. It takes requests from these devices, completes a task, and then communicates with the requesting process.
File management: It refers to how an operating system organizes information about creating, deleting, transferring, copying, and storing files. It also safeguards the data contained in these files and the file directory structure by preventing unauthorized access.
Security: The operating system includes several security features that ensure the integrity and confidentiality of user information.
Error Detection: The operating system analyses the system for external threats or malicious software activity from time to time. It examines the hardware for any signs of damage and reports to the user.
Scheduling Jobs: The operating system is a multitasking operating system that defines which apps should run in which order and assign time to each application in a multitasking operating system where numerous programs run simultaneously.
