Operating Systems

Review ( Unit 1 and Unit 2)

Points to Remember:
1. Definition of OS:
 An operating system (OS) is software that manages computer hardware resources (CPU,
Memory, Input/ Output devices).
 OS is an interface between user and hardware.
2. Purpose (Goal) of Operating system:
 To use computer hardware efficiently.
 To make application software portable and versatile.
 To provide isolation, security and protection among user programs.
3. Multi Programming:
Multiple Programs are running in the same time period. When one program is waiting
for I/O transfer, another program utilizes the CPU.

4. Views of Operating System:

 OS as a Resource Manager: - OS manages all computer resources (CPU, Memory, Input/
Output devices, files and Application Programs). It permits resource sharing, provides
protection and improves system performance.
 OS as a Controller: Controls execution of user programs and operation of I/O devices.
 OS as a Command Executer (Shell): It executes commands entered by a user.
 OS as a Virtual Machine.
5. Types of Operating systems:
 Batch Operating System
 Time Sharing Operating System
 Real Time Operating System
 Distributed Operating System
 Networked Operating System
6. Batch Operating System:
 User don’t interact with computer, submit the job to Computer operator,
 Similar jobs are batched and run as a group.
7. Time sharing OS:
 Multiple jobs are executed by the CPU by switching between them, switching occur so
frequently so the user receive an immediate response.
8. Distributed OS:
 It is software over a collection of independent, networked computers. But, the users
unaware of multiplicity of machines.
9. Networked OS:
 NOS allows file sharing and printer access among multiple computers in a network
(LAN). But, the users aware of multiplicity of machines.
10. Components of Operating Systems:

11. Process management activities(functions) of OS:

 A process is a program in execution. The operating system is responsible for
i. Creation, deletion, suspension and resuming of process.
ii. Allocating resources (CPU, Memory, files, I/O devices) to process.
iii. Reclaiming resources when that process is completed.
12. Memory management activities(functions) of OS:
 Keeping track of which parts of memory are currently being used and by whom.
 Allocating memory to process and reclaiming memory when process is over.
13. File Management Activities of OS:
 Creating and deleting files and directories
 Manipulate files.
 Mapping files onto secondary storage
 File Backup.
14. Secondary Storage management Activities of OS:
 Free-space management
 Storage allocation
 Disk scheduling
15. Important services provided by an operating systems :
 Program execution  I/O operations  Accounting
 Communications  Error detection  Protection
16. System Calls:
 System calls provide the interface between a running program and the operating
system.
17. Interrupt:
 It is a signal from a Hardware device or from a program within the computer.
 Hardware interrupt: It is usually generated by hardware devices (e.g. a timer, keyboard,
network card) to indicate that some device needs OS service.
 Software Interrupt: It is usually generated by programs. It causes a change in the
normal flow of instruction execution.
18. Dual Mode Operation:
 Dual-mode operation allows OS to protect itself and other system components
(Hardware and Software).
 

19. Difference between Monolithic and Micro Kernel

Monolithic Kernel Micro Kernel
1 Kernel is a single large process running Kernel is broken down into separate processes,
entirely in a single address space. known as servers. Some of the servers run in
kernel space and some run in user-space.
2 Examples: Unix, Linux. Examples: Mac OS X and Windows NT.

3 Disadvantages: Advantages: Easier to extend a microkernel,

Hard to understand. Easier to port OS to new architectures,
Hard to modify.
Unreliable: a bug anywhere causes a
system crash.

20. Layered Approach in Operating system Design

 Operating system is divided into many layers (levels)
 Bottom layer (layer 0) is hardware and highest layer (layer N) is the user interface.
 Each lower layer provides services to its higher layer next to it.
 Advantage
o Modularity
o Easy debugging
o Easy Maintenance.

21. Virtual Machine:

 A virtual machine (VM) provides;
 Virtual Hardware
 Virtual Software
 Virtual Operating-system.
Advantages:
 Multiple operating systems can run on the same physical platform
 If one OS crash, it does not affect others. It is easy to replace failed OS with fresh one.
 Migrating running VM to different computer is possible.