Definition for OS and Its Objectives and Functions

In the 1960s operating system is defined as the software that controls the hardware. A better definition of operating system is needed. An o...

In the 1960s operating system is defined as the software that controls the hardware. A better definition of operating system is needed. An operating system as the programs, implemented in either s/w or firmware, that make the hardware usable. Hardware provides “raw computing power”. operating system make this computing power conveniently available to users, and they manage the hardware carefully to achieve good performance.

Operating system are primarily resource managers; the main resource they manage is computer hardware. In the form of processors, storage, input /output devices, communication devices, and data. Operating system perform many functions such as implementing the user interface, sharing hardware among users, allowing users to share data among themselves, preventing users from interfacing with one another, scheduling resources among users, facilitating i/o recovering from errors, accounting for resource usage, facilitating parallel operations, organizing data for secure and rapid access and handling network communications

Objectives and Function

An operating system is a program that controls the execution of application programs and acts as an interface between the user of a computer and the computer hardware. An operating system can be thought of as having three objectives or performing 3 functions.

1) Convenience: An operating system makes a computer more convenient to use.

2) Efficiency: An operating system allows the computer system resources to be used in an efficient manner.

3) Ability to evolve: An operating system should be constructed in such a way as to permit the effective development, testing and introduction of new system functions without at the same time interfering with service.