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Topic X Introduction

2 toOperating
System

LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of this topic, you should be able to:
1. State the purposes of having an operating system; and
2. List the tasks of an operating system.

X INTRODUCTION
The most important type of system software is the operating system. This topic
contains the introduction to the operating system. It explains the purposes of
constructing the operating system and its functions.

The three main responsibilities of an operating system according to Webopedia

(2000) are:

Performing basic tasks, such as recognising input from the keyboard,

sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories
on the disk and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and
printers.
Ensuring that different programs and users running at the same time do not
interfere with each other.
Providing a software platform on top of which other programs (i.e.,
application software) can run.

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2.1 THE CONCEPT OF OPERATING SYSTEM

There are two types of software application software and system software.
Application software is the software used specifically to solve a particular
problem.
System software is the software used to support the usage of the computer
system.

The operating system falls under the category of system software. This software
is very special because it stays in the computer memory as long as the computer
is activated.

The main function of this software is to manage the computer system. Without an
operating system, a computer system is without a good manager and hence
cannot function properly. Therefore, all computer systems, whether big or small,
need an operating system.

When a user interacts with a computer system, he/she is actually interacting with
the operating system. When you give a command to the computer system to
perform a specific task, you are actually giving that command to the operating
system, which subsequently directs the computer system to carry out the
instructions as required by the user.

The main objective of an operating system is to enable users to use the computer
with ease and comfort.

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This comfort can be determined as follow:

(a) User Comfort

An operating system makes the computer a comfortable and easy tool to
use. Without an operating system, users need to manoeuvre the computer
system hardware directly. This task is extremely difficult and, most
probably, cannot be done by most users.

(b) Accuracy and Efficiency

An operating system allows the resources of a computer system to be used
efficiently and effectively.

(c) Capacity to Expand

The operating system is designed in such a manner that more than one
program can be created, carried out and shared using the same resources.

Self-check 2.1
What do you understand by Operating System (OS)? Can it be regarded in
the same manner as petrol to a vehicle in order for it to operate and move?

2.2 THE FUNCTION OF AN OPERATING

SYSTEM
In order to achieve the purposes mentioned in the previous section, an operating
system is responsible for (Figure 2.2):

(a) Providing user interface;

(b) Managing the operating system components for optimum use;
(c) Providing safety measures; and
(d) Providing control for the occurrence of unexpected incidents.

2.2.1 Providing User Interface

User interface is a mechanism that allows users to interact with any software. For
instance, an operating system provides a graphic interface that uses windows. In
any window, you can use menu, button and icon to command the operating
system.

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Besides using windows and icon, some operating systems use the following
interface concept:

(a) Command driven interface - this interface requires users to type commands
that can be understood by the operating system
(b) Menu driven interface - this interface provides an activity menu to users.
Users need to choose numbers or characters in the menu, so that they can
give instructions to the operating system.

2.2.2 Managing the Computer System Components

A computer system consists of several components. Each component has its own
use or importance.

The operating system is responsible for managing all components to enable all
the components to be effectively and efficiently used.

Activity 2.1

What are the functions of the following computer system components?

(a) Input/output devices
(b) Main memory
(c) Backup storage
(d) CPU

To enable a program to be carried out, a computer needs memory space. The

operating system is responsible for inserting the program into the appropriate
memory space and then taking it out when the program implementation is
completed.

For easy usage, most operating systems allow more than one program to be
implemented at the same time. This type of operating system is called multi-
tasking operating system. It is responsible for distributing the available resources
in a computer system to any program that needs it.

Some computer system components cannot be shared, for example the printer.
Most operating systems use the spooling concept to overcome this problem. The
spooling concept is shown in Figure 2.1. In the spooling concept, a file for
printing is not sent directly to the printer, but is saved in the disk before the
operating system transfers the file to the printer, one by one.

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Besides handling the physical components of a computer system, the operating

system is responsible for handling another resource known as virtual resource.
An example of a virtual resource is the file system. Physically, the files do not
exist. The operating system creates the file concept to enable users to store their
programs and data in a more orderly manner.

Figure 2.1: Spooling concept

The operating system also creates a file management system to enable the user to
change names, copy and delete files and programs in the hard disk.

2.2.3 System Safety

A computer system frequently faces safety problems. The most critical safety
issue is usually related to the file system. Therefore, users need to give serious
attention to this problem because all the information in a computer system is
stored in the file system.

There are several safety issues faced by a particular computer system. Among
them are:

(a) To avoid stored information from being accessed or changed by people who
have no right to access them.
(b) To avoid the information stored from being erased or deleted
unintentionally.

Most operating systems provide a file system safety mechanism.

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2.2.4 Control of Unexpected Occurrences

The implementation of a program can lead to unforeseen occurrences such as:
The program tries to carry out instructions that do not exist.
The program tries to carry out instructions that involve divided-by-zero
calculations.

If these incidents are not controlled, the computer system will stop immediately.
This situation is termed crash. This phenomenon is frustrating to users.
Therefore, the operating system should be able to control such situations to
ensure the computer system functions smoothly without interruptions.

Figure 2.2: Functions of operating system

2.3 TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM

There are four types of operating system, as shown in Figure 2.3.

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Figure 2.3 Types of operating system

2.3.1 Single User Operating System

A single user operating system is used for a desktop or notebook. This system
allows only one user to use the computer at a given time and it has only one
processor for operations.

Examples of this type of operating system include DOS Windows 95, Windows
2000, Windows NT, Mac OS and OS/2 Warp. Today, there are a few single user
operating systems used in hand-held computers such as Pocket PC and Palm
Top.

2.3.2 Multi-User Operating System

This type of system allows many users to share the same processor at any one
time. It is widely used for big computers such as minicomputers or mainframe
computers, which are always connected to several terminals. Users who use the
terminal share the same computer system. In other words, the multi-user
operating system allows one computer system to be shared by several users at the
same time.

2.3.3 Multi-Processor Operating System

Currently, many computers have more than one processor to perform tasks more
efficiently. For these various processors to work effectively, we require a special
operating system which is called the multi-processor operating system.

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2.3.4 Network Operating System

The network operating system is responsible for operating several computers in a
local area network, which usually comprises of several microcomputers. The
main function of the network operating system is to allow computers to share
resources such as a printer and file server.

Two examples of a network operating system are Novell Netware and Windows
NT. Microsoft Windows provides a network operating system through the
Network Neighbourhood concept.

Activity 2.2

(a) In your opinion, why do we not use a computer without an operating

system?

(b) What is the type of operating system suitable for the following uses?
(i) notebook computer
(ii) several PCs in a local area network
(iii) palmtop
(d) mainframe computer

SUMMARY
The operating system allows users to use the computer system efficiently
and effectively.
Operating system is also the backbone of a computer in managing the
internal resources of the computer.
Application software is the software used specifically to solve a particular
problem.
System software is the software used to support the usage of the computer
system.
The main objective of an operating system is to enable users to use the
computer with ease and comfort.
The functions of an operating system include providing user interface,
managing computer system components, providing safety mechanisms and
controlling unexpected occurrences.

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There are four types of operating system mainly Single User Operating
System, Multi-User Operating System, Multi-Processor Operating System
and Network Operating System.

KEY WORDS
Application software Menu driven interface
System software Multi-tasking operating system
User interface Virtual resource
Common driven interface Crash

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