Have you ever wondered how your computer display images and can understand what you want it to do ? Or have you thought about the moment when you join cables to your mobile, data can be transferred ? Its all because of software we call "Operating System". The operating system in any computing device plays a vital role in the proper functioning of that device. It acts as the interface between the user and the hardware resources. For more details, check out this YouTube channel. Here are 12 things that makes operating system important in computer.
operating system in mobile: android
SO, why is OS needed ?
Resource Management
Operating systems manage computer hardware resources such as CPU, memory, storage, and input/output devices. They allocate these resources among different programs and users to ensure efficient and fair utilization.
Process Management
An operating system facilitates the creation, scheduling, and termination of processes (individual programs or tasks). It allows multitasking, where multiple processes can run concurrently on a single CPU, giving the illusion of parallel execution.
Memory Management
OS manages the computer’s memory hierarchy, allocating memory to processes and ensuring that processes do not interfere with one another’s memory space. This helps prevent memory conflicts and crashes.
File System Management
Operating systems provide file management services, allowing users to create, access, organize, and manipulate files and directories on storage devices.
Device Management
OS interacts with hardware devices such as printers, scanners, network interfaces, and more. It abstracts the complexities of device communication, providing a consistent interface for software applications to interact with various hardware devices.
User Interface
Operating systems provide user interfaces that enable users to interact with the computer. This can include command-line interfaces (CLI) or graphical user interfaces (GUI) that simplify interaction and improve user experience.
Security and Access Control
OS enforces security measures to protect the system from unauthorized access, malware, and other threats. It manages user accounts, permissions, and access rights to files and resources.
Error Handling and Fault Tolerance
Operating systems help manage errors and faults in hardware and software. They often provide mechanisms for error detection, recovery, and logging to ensure system stability and reliability.
Bootstrapping
An OS is responsible for starting up the computer when it’s powered on, initializing hardware components, and loading the kernel into memory. This process is known as bootstrapping.
Platform for Software Development
Operating systems provide a platform for software developers to build and run applications. They offer APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that abstract underlying hardware complexities, making it easier to develop software that works across different hardware configurations.
Virtualization
OS enables virtualization, allowing multiple instances of operating systems or software environments to run on a single physical machine. This is useful for server consolidation, software testing, and creating isolated environments.
Resource Monitoring and Performance Analysis
Operating systems offer tools and utilities to monitor system performance, track resource usage, and analyze system behavior. This is crucial for optimizing system performance and identifying potential issues.
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