Operating Systems – Basics

📘 Computer Fundamentals 👁 65 views 📅 Nov 05, 2025

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Operating Systems – Basics

An Operating System (OS) is system software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides services for application programs. It acts as an interface between the user and the computer hardware.

1. Functions of an Operating System

Function	Description
Process Management	Manages execution of programs, CPU scheduling, and multitasking.
Memory Management	Allocates and deallocates memory for processes efficiently.
File Management	Controls creation, reading, writing, and deletion of files.
Device Management	Manages input/output devices via drivers and ensures proper communication.
Security & Access Control	Protects data, restricts unauthorized access, and maintains user authentication.
User Interface	Provides a way for users to interact with the computer, via CLI or GUI.

2. Types of Operating Systems


Batch OS
Time-Sharing OS
Distributed OS
Real-Time OS (RTOS)
Network OS
Mobile OS
Desktop OS

3. User Interfaces in OS

CLI (Command Line Interface): Text-based interface requiring commands (e.g., DOS, Linux terminal).
GUI (Graphical User Interface): Visual interface with icons, windows, and menus (e.g., Windows, macOS).

Key Points

OS is essential system software that manages hardware and software resources.
Provides efficient multitasking, file handling, security, and device management.
OS types vary based on usage, performance, and device type.
Users interact with computers via CLI or GUI depending on the OS.