Systems software - The OS
- Created by: Tomiwaq
- Created on: 29-03-19 09:58
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- Systems software - The OS
- Uses of the OS
- OS communicates with internal and external hardware via the device drivers
- Provide a user interface, allowing a user to interact with the computer
- Provide a platform for different applications to run
- Allow the computer to multi-task
- Deal with file management and disk managements
- Manage security and user accounts
- Device drivers
- Let the OS and hardware talk
- Every piece of hardware connected to the computer system requires a device driver
- Drivers act as a translator for the signals
- If new hardware is connected to the computer, the system will install a new matching driver
- Updates ensure fixed bugs, added features or improve performance
- User interfaces
- A user interface allows the user to interact with a computer
- GUIs are the most common type
- GUIs are optimised for specific input methods
- A command-line interface is text based
- Less resource-heavy than GUIs
- Not suitable for everyday users
- Far more efficient and powerful than GUI
- Used to automate processes using scripts
- Multi-tasking
- OS provides a platform to run apps
- OS that can run multiple apps are called multi-tasking OSs
- OS helps the CPU carry out multi-tasking by managing memory
- OS moves necessary parts of the app to memory
- To run multiple apps, the OS needs to make sure the apps don't overwrite or interfere
- Only one app is processed by the CPU
- The OS divides CPU time between open apps for efficiency
- When required, the OS organises the movement of data to and from virtual memory
- File and disk management
- File extensions tell the computer which software should be used to open files
- OS is responsible for file management.
- OS deals with the movement, editing and deletion of data
- OS manages the hard disk
- Splits the physical disk into storage sectors
- OS organises and maintains the hard disk with utility software
- User accounts
- OS can be single-user or multi-user
- Single users
- Allows one user to use the computer at once
- Multi-users
- Allows several users to use the computer at the same time
- Single users
- OS is responsible for user account control
- OS have their own anti-theft measures to prevent outsiders
- OS can be single-user or multi-user
- Uses of the OS
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