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Introduction To Operating Systems

The document discusses the components of a computer system including users, application programs, system programs, operating system, and hardware. It defines an operating system as a program that acts as an intermediary between the user and computer hardware, providing an environment to execute programs and efficiently manage hardware resources. Key aspects of operating systems discussed include the kernel, which facilitates interactions between hardware and software; user interfaces like command lines and graphical user interfaces; and examples of popular operating systems throughout history from single-job batch processing to personal computers.

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187 views6 pages

Introduction To Operating Systems

The document discusses the components of a computer system including users, application programs, system programs, operating system, and hardware. It defines an operating system as a program that acts as an intermediary between the user and computer hardware, providing an environment to execute programs and efficiently manage hardware resources. Key aspects of operating systems discussed include the kernel, which facilitates interactions between hardware and software; user interfaces like command lines and graphical user interfaces; and examples of popular operating systems throughout history from single-job batch processing to personal computers.

Uploaded by

sambhavsharma1500
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Structure of a Computer System

A Computer System consists of:

o Users (people who are using the computer)


o Application Programs (Compilers, Databases, Games, Video player, Browsers, etc.)
o System Programs (Shells, Editors, Compilers, etc.)
o Operating System ( A special program which acts as an interface between user and
hardware )
o Hardware ( CPU, Disks, Memory, etc)

Why do we need an OS?


● Allows you to hide details of hardware by creating an abstraction
● Easy to use with a GUI
● Offers an environment in which a user may execute programs/applications
● The operating system must make sure that the computer system convenient to use
● Operating System acts as an intermediary among applications and the hardware
components
● It provides the computer system resources with easy to use format
● Acts as an intermediate between all hardware's and software's of the system

Introduction to Operating Systems


• An operating system is a program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer
and the computer hardware.
• The purpose of an operating system is to provide an environment in which a user can execute
programs. The primary goal of an operating system is thus to make the computer system
convenient to use.
• A secondary goal is to use the computer hardware in an efficient manner.

• In brief, an operating system is the set of programs that controls a computer. Some examples
of operating systems are UNIX, Mach, MS-DOS, MS Windows, Windows/NT, OS/2 and Mac OS.
• An operating system is an important part of almost every computer system.
• A computer system can be divided roughly into four components: the hardware, the
operating system, the application programs and the users.

What is a Kernel?
The kernel is a computer program at the core of a computer's operating system with complete
control over everything in the system. It is an integral part of any operating system. It is the
"portion of the operating system code that is always resident in memory". It facilitates
interactions between hardware and software components. On most systems, it is one of the
first programs loaded on startup (after the bootloader). It handles the rest of startup as well
as input/output requests from software, translating them into data-processing instructions for
the central processing unit. It handles memory and peripherals like keyboards, monitors,
printers, and speakers.

A kernel connects the application software to the hardware of a computer.

The critical code of the kernel is usually loaded into a separate area of memory, which is
protected from access by application programs or other, less critical parts of the operating
system. The kernel performs its tasks, such as running processes, managing hardware devices
such as the hard disk, and handling interrupts, in this protected kernel space. In
contrast, application programs like browsers, word processors, or audio or video players use a
separate area of memory, user space. This separation prevents user data and kernel data from
interfering with each other and causing instability and slowness as well as preventing
malfunctioning application programs from crashing the entire operating system.

Features of Kennel

● Low-level scheduling of processes


● Inter-process communication
● Process synchronization
● Context switching
Types of Kernels
There are many types of kernels that exists, but among them, the two most popular kernels
are:

1.Monolithic

A monolithic kernel is a single code or block of the program. It provides all the required services
offered by the operating system. It is a simplistic design which creates a distinct communication
layer between the hardware and software.

2. Microkernels

Microkernel manages all system resources. In this type of kernel, services are implemented in
different address space. The user services are stored in user address space, and kernel services
are stored under kernel address space. So, it helps to reduce the size of both the kernel and
operating system.

User Interfaces to Operating Systems


• Command interpreter or shell
Text-driven, command-response interface style
A shell is ultimately just a program, so there may be more than one
Two variations: embed system calls in shell, or separate all system calls as external programs
(keeps the shell small, and protects it from operating system changes)
• Graphical user interface
Menu-driven and/or direct manipulation interface style
Also “just a program,” so there may also be more than one GUI environment available
• In many cases, both UI types are provided; really an orthogonal issue to the operating system
itself

History of Operating Systems


• The 1940's - First Generations
The earliest electronic digital computers had no operating systems. Machines of the time were
so primitive that programs were often entered one bit at time on rows of mechanical switches
(plug boards). Programming languages were unknown (not even assembly languages).
Operating systems were unheard of.
• The 1950's - Second Generation By the early 1950's, the routine had improved somewhat
with the introduction of punch cards. The General Motors Research Laboratories implemented
the first operating systems in early 1950's for their IBM 701. The system of the 50's generally
ran one job at a time.
• The 1960's - Third Generation
The systems of the 1960's were also batch processing systems, but they were able to take
better advantage of the computer's resources by running several jobs at once.
• Fourth Generation
With the development of LSI (Large Scale Integration) circuits, chips, operating system entered
in the personal computer and the workstation age. Microprocessor technology evolved to the
point that it becomes possible to build desktop computers as powerful as the mainframes of
the 1970s.
• Fifth Generation
The period of fifth generation is 1980-till date. In the fifth generation, VLSI technology became
ULSI (Ultra Large Scale Integration) technology, resulting in the production of microprocessor
chips having ten million electronic components.
This generation is based on parallel processing hardware and AI (Artificial Intelligence)
software. AI is an emerging branch in computer science, which interprets the means and
method of making computers think like human beings. All the high-level languages like C and
C++, Java, .Net etc., are used in this generation.
The main features of fifth generation are −

● ULSI technology

● Development of true artificial intelligence

● Development of Natural language processing

● Advancement in Parallel Processing

● Advancement in Superconductor technology

● More user-friendly interfaces with multimedia features

● Availability of very powerful and compact computers at cheaper rates


Some computer types of this generation are −

● Desktop

● Laptop

● NoteBook

● UltraBook

● ChromeBook

Applications of Operating System


Following are some of the important activities that an Operating System performs −
● Security − By means of password and similar other techniques, it prevents
unauthorized access to programs and data.

● Control over system performance − Recording delays between request for a service
and response from the system.

● Job accounting − Keeping track of time and resources used by various jobs and users.

● Error detecting aids − Production of dumps, traces, error messages, and other
debugging and error detecting aids.

● Coordination between other softwares and users − Coordination and assignment of


compilers, interpreters, assemblers and other software to the various users of the
computer systems.

Video Link: https://nptel.ac.in/courses/106/106/106106144/


REFERENCES:
1. Galvin, Peter B., Silberchatz, A., “Operating System Concepts”, Addison Wesley, 8th
Edition.
2. https://nptel.ac.in/courses/106/105/106105214/
3. https://www.guru99.com/operating-system-tutorial.html
4. https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/operating-systems/

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