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Michael Ramon
Mr. Carver
NOS-110
01/11/12
Operating Systems
What exactly is an operating system? According to LearningatGCFLearn.org, an operating
system is the most important software on a computer. It manages the computer's memory, processes,
and all of its software and hardware (1). Operating systems, or OS's, are everywhere. They are used in
all most electronic devices and are essential to modern society. Because of the essential need for what
OS's can provide, it's important to understand the purpose's OS's can serve, the major functions an OS
can preform, and the different type of OS's is use.
Modern society is utterly dependent on its technological advances, and most forms of
technology need an operating system to give it a purpose. Without the OS, a calculator will sit lifeless,
a microwave stay dark. These everyday conveniences are run by a very fast and relatively small OS, a
Real Time Operating System(RTOS), states the book Survey of Operating Systems(17). More complex
devices, such as smartphones and the computer, need more elaborate OS's to give them functionality.
Because an operating system can do so many different things, it is important to notice the major
functions an OS can perform. According to Survey of Operating Systems, these major functions are
User Interface, Job Management, Task Management, Memory Management, File Management, Device
Management, and Security(11-14). Rather than describe each in detail, its important to note an OS's
lets hardware, software, and user(people) all communicate. OS's enable piles of plastic and silicon to
come to life and preform dizzying calculations, or hold enormous troves of data.
With so much variety in the needs of users, it comes as no surprise how many different OS's
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there are. From The ubiquitous Microsoft's(MS) Windows, to Apple's OSX to Good ol' Linux(Knoppix
is a favorite!) there is a OS for every need. Each OS handles tasks in a different fashion and each OS
has a different interface for users to interact with. In the case of the previously mentioned RTOS, the
interface is different depending on the needs of the device. For the more complex MS Windows or
Apple's OSX, it uses a graphical user interface(GUI) to interact with users. One notable OS is the
eminent UNIX, memorable not only as an older OS that is still in use in some circles today, but also for
it's command line interface(CLI,) whose familiar prompts still bring joy to the uber-nerds, like
% got a light?

No Match

Bad Unix jokes aside, an OS is a vital part of modern computing that enables the users to
assume control of the technological. An OS can provide purpose to technology. It can use its many
functions to help(or hinder) society. There are also many different types of OS's, one to fit any possible
need. With new technology arising all the time, OS are being developed to give functionality to this
tech. As the future unfolds we will see even more types of OS's emerge, all to fit the needs of this
constantly evolving society.

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Works Cited
"Computer Basics: Understanding Operating Systems - Lesson 2." Free Online Learning at
GCFLearnFree.org. Web. 11 Jan. 2012. <http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics/2>.

"Introduction to Operating Systems." Survey of Operating Systems. 3rd ed. Mc-Graw Hill Companies,
2011. 7-44. Print.