Unit1: Definition and Functions of Operating System (OS)

Objectives
At the end of this unit, you should be able to:
 Define an OS
 State the major functions of the OS
 State the importance of the OS in the computer system
 Enumerate the various services rendered the user by the OS

Introduction
A modern computer consists of one or more processors, some main memory, disks,
printers, a keyboard, a mouse, a display, network interfaces, and various other
input/output devices. Managing all this components and using them optimally is a
very challenging job. For this reason, computer are equipped with a layer of software
called the operating system.
I. What is an Operating System?

An Operating System is system software which may be viewed as an organized

collection of software consisting of procedures for operating a computer and
providing an environment for execution of programs. It acts as an interface between
users and the hardware of a computer system. It can also be defined as a set of
computer programs that manage the hardware and software resources of a computer.
It is the core of computer programming that primarily deals with computer
architecture. simply put, an (OS) can be defined as a suite (set) of programs
implemented either in software or firmware (hardwired instructions on chips
usually in ROM) or both that makes the hardware usable.
At the foundation of all system software, an operating system performs basic tasks
such as controlling and allocating memory, prioritizing system requests, controlling
input and output devices, facilitating networking and managing file systems. Most
operating systems come with an application that provides an interface to the
OS managed resources. These applications have had command line interpreters
as a basic user interface, but more recently have been implemented as a graphical
user interface (GUI) for ease of operation. Operating Systems themselves, have no
user interfaces, and the user of an OS is an application, not a person. The operating
system forms a platform for other system software and for application software.
Windows, Linux, and Mac OS are some of the most popular OS's.
A simple overview of the main components under discussion here is given in Fig 1
below:

Figure 1:
Where
the

operating system fits in.

II. Goals and Functions of OS

OS can further be described by what they do i.e. by their functions, goals and
objectives. Therefore, the goals of the OS are:
 Convenience for the User

When there is no OS, users of computer system will need to write machine-level
program in order to manipulate the hardware. With OS, users can now easily and
conveniently use the computer with no stress of directly programming the hardware.
OS provide a convenient interface for using the computer system.
 Efficiency

An OS allows computer system resources to be used in an efficient manner.

This particularly important for large shared multi-user systems which are usually
expensive. In the past, the efficiency (i.e. optimal use of the computer resources)
considerations were often more important than convenience.
 Evolutionary Capabilities
Ability to evolve also happens to be one of the goals of the OS. An OS
should be constructed in such a way that it permits the effective development,
testing and introduction of new system functions without interfering with its service.
III. Views of OS

OS can be viewed from the perspective of what they are. These views are
diverse depending on the particular view point of a user. But some of these views are
discussed below.
 OS as a User/Computer Interface

A computer system can be viewed as a layered or hierarchical structure consisting of

the hardware, operating system, utilities, application programs and users.
The users of application programs are called the end-users and are generally
not concerned with the computer’s architecture. The end-user views the computer
system in terms of an application.
The application is developed by the application programmer who uses a
programming language and a language translator. A set of programs called the
utilities is provided to assist the programmer in program creation, file
management and the control of Input/output (I/O) devices.
The most important system program, operating system masks the details of the
hardware from the programmer and provides a convenient interface for using the
system. It acts as a mediator, making it easier for the programmer and for application
programs to access and use the available services and facilities.

Figure 2: Abstract View of the Components of a Computer System

 OS as a Resource Manager

A computer system has a set of resources for the movement, storage and processing
of data. The OS is responsible for managing these resources. Note that resources
include CPU, file storage space, data, programs, memory space, I/O devices, etc.
The OS is like any other computer program in that it provides instructions for
the processor. The key difference is in the purpose of the program. The OS directs
the processor in the use of the other system resources and in the timing of its
execution of other programs. The processor, in order to do any of these things, must
cease execution of the OS program to execute other programs. Thus, the OS
relinquishes control long enough to prepare the processor to do the next piece of
work.
The portion of the OS that is always in main memory is called the kernel or nucleus
and it contains the most frequently used functions in the OS. The remainder of the
main memory contains other user programs and data. The allocation of this resource
(i.e. main memory) is controlled jointly by the OS and the memory management
hardware in the processor.
IV. Services Provided by the OS

The services provided by the OS can be categorised into two:

 Convenience for the Programmer/User

The conveniences offered the user are in diverse and following ways:
 Program Creation: Although editors and debuggers are not part of the OS,

they are accessed through the OS to assist programmers in creating

programs.
 Program Execution: OS ensures that programs are loaded into the main

memory. I/O devices and files are initialised and other resources are
prepared. The program must be able to end its execution either normally or
abnormally. In case of abnormal end to a program, it must indicate error.
 Access to I/O devices: Each I/O device requires its own set of
instructions or control signal for operation. The OS takes care of the
details so that the programmer can think in terms of reads and writes.
 Controlled Access: In the case of files, control includes an understanding of

the nature of the I/O device (e.g. diskette drive, CDROM drive, etc.) as well
as the file format of the storage medium. The OS deals with these details. In
the case of the multi-user system, the OS must provide protection
mechanisms to control access to the files.
 Communications: There are many instances in which a process needs to

exchange information with another process. There are two major ways
in which communication can occur:
 It can take place between processes executing on the same computer.

 It can take place between processes executing on different computer

systems that are linked by a computer network.

Communications may be implemented via a shared memory or by a technique of

message passing in which packets of information are moved between processes
by the OS.
 Error Detection: A variety of errors can occur while a computer system is

running. These errors include:

 CPU and memory hardware error: This encompasses memory error,

power failure, a device failure such as connection failure on a

network, lack of paper in printer.
 Software errors: Arithmetic overflow, attempt to access forbidden

memory locations, inability of the OS to grant the request of an

application.

In each case, the OS must make a response that makes the less impact on
running applications. The response may range from ending the program that caused
the error, retrying the operation or simply reporting the error to the
Application.
 Efficiency of System: Single and Multi-User

In the area of system efficiency, the OS offer the following services:

 System Access or Protection: In the case of a shared or public

system, the OS controls access to the system and to specific system

resources by ensuring that each user authenticates him/herself to the
system, usually by means of passwords to be allowed access to
system resources. It extends to defending external I/O devices including
modems, network adapters from invalid access attempts and to recording all
such connections for detection of break-ins.
 Resources Allocation: In an environment where there are multiple users

or multiple jobs running at the same time, resources must be allocated

to each of them. Many different types of resources are managed by the
OS. Some (such as CPU cycles, main memory and file storage) may have
general request and release codes. For instances, in determining how
best to use the CPU, the OS have CPU-scheduling routines that take
into account the speed of the CPU, the jobs that must be executed, the
number of registers available and other factors. These routines may
also be used to allocate plotters, modems and other peripheral devices.
 Accounting: This helps to keep track of how much of and what types of

computer resources are used by each user. Today, this recordkeeping is not
for billing purposes but for simply accumulating usage statistics. This
statistics may be available tool for researchers who want to reconfigure the
system to improve computing services.
 Ease of Evolution of OS: A major OS will evolve over time for a

number of reasons such as hardware upgrades and new types of hardware

e.g. The use of graphics terminals may affect OS design. This is because
such a terminal may allow the user to view several applications at the same
time through ‘windows’ on the screen. This requires more sophisticated
support in the OS.
 New Services: In response to user demands or the need of system managers,

the OS may expand to offer new services.

 Error correction: The OS may have faults which may be discovered over the

course of time and fixes will need to be made.

Other features provided by the OS includes:

 Defining the user interface

 Sharing hardware among users

 Allowing users to share data

 Scheduling resources among users

 Facilitating I/O

 Recovering from errors

 Etc.

Conclusion
The OS is a very important software in the computer system that provides a variety of
services to the applications running on the system and the user. It also adds to the
efficiency and performance of the computer system. The OS forms the bedrock of the
computer system and is the platform on which all other software run. But the OS has
not always been nor come with the computer system. It evolved over time.
Assignment
1. What do you understand by the term ‘Operating System’?

2. List and briefly explain the various services rendered to the users by the OS

3. Enumerate the goals and functions of the OS

References/Further Reading
 T. Y. James (1999). Introduction to Operating Systems. 2nd Edition
 Silberschatz, Abraham; Galvin, Peter Baer; Gagne, Greg (2004). Operating
System Concepts. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 0-471-69466-5