Explain Operating System Services |
What do you mean by Operating system?
Every computer, regardless of size or purpose, requires an operating system in order to run and be helpful. An essential component of contemporary computer systems is the operating system. The collection of applications that controls the hardware is neatly arranged.
An operating system facilitates communication between computer hardware and users. A user is a person who is seated at a computer terminal and is more concerned with the application than the computer's architecture. The hardware is never directly manipulated by the user. He must make a request through the operating system in order to obtain the hardware's services.
The main resource manager is the operating system. It is responsible for overseeing the hardware, which includes memory, CPUs, input/output, and communication devices.
Either kernel mode or user mode are used by the operating system to function. Operating system code executes in kernel mode, while compilers and editors operate in user mode.
Operating system services
On a computer system, the operating system offers the programming environment that programmers use. Through the operating system, the user software makes several resource demands. The operating system provides utility programmers and users with a number of functions. Applications can access these services via system calls or application programming interfaces. The application can pass parameters, request a service from the operating system, and obtain the results of an action by using such interfaces.
The services offered by an operating system are as follows:
- Program execution
- Input Output Operations
- Communication
- File Management
- Memory Management
- Process Management
- Security and Privacy
- Resource Allocation
- User Interface
- Networking
- Error Detection
- Time Management
Program Execution
The Operating System is in charge of controlling how a program is carried out. The program is performed after it has been loaded into memory. The CPU Scheduling Algorithms determine which ones are performed in what order. Here are a few: SJF, FCFS, etc. The operating system manages deadlock, or the situation where no two processes attempt to execute simultaneously, while the program is running. Both system and user programs must run smoothly, and this is the responsibility of the operating system. The Operating System makes use of a variety of resources to enable the smooth operation of all kinds of functions.
Input Output Operations
The computer system contains a wide variety of I/O device types, each type of I/O device requires a specific set of instructions to operate. The Operating System uses a consistent interface to help conceal such information. Programmers can so easily access such devices, which is convenient.
Communication
The operating system controls all process communications in distributed systems, which are collections of processors without shared memory, peripherals, or a clock. Through communication channels in the network, several processes can exchange information with one another.
Contention and security issues, as well as routing and connection techniques, are handled by the OS. The principal functions of an operating system concerning communication are as follows:
It is frequently necessary for data to be moved between two operations.
The two processes are linked by a computer network, regardless of whether they are running on the same machine or separate ones.
There are two ways to implement communication: message passing and shared memory.
Error Detection
Errors can happen anywhere, at any moment. A mistake could be made in the memory hardware, I/O devices, or CPU.
The primary functions of an OS with regard to error handling are listed below.
- The OS looks for potential problems all the time.
- The OS pursues appropriate legal action to ensure dependable and accurate computing.
File management
Computers use secondary storage devices such as optical disks, magnetic tape, magnetic disks, and so on to store data and information. Every type of storage media has specific properties, including data transmission rates, capacities, and access mechanisms.
The operating system needs to be aware of the various file types and storage device attributes in order to manage files. It must also provide the document's proportion and security method.
Memory Management
Let's take a basic look at how the OS manages memory. Consider a cricket team with a small roster. Depending on how the next player performs, the team management (OS) will determine whether to include him in the starting 11, playing 15, or not. Similarly, the operating system (OS) first determines if the future program satisfies all requirements for memory space. If so, it determines how much memory space will be needed for the program and loads it into memory at a predetermined place. Consequently, it stops programs from utilizing RAM that isn't needed.
Resource Allocation
Resources such as main memory, CPU cycles, and file storage must be assigned to each user or task in a multi-user or multi-tasking environment. The primary functions of an operating system concerning resource management are as follows:
- The OS uses schedulers to control a range of resources.
- Algorithms for CPU scheduling are used to maximize CPU utilization.
Security and Privacy
Security :In a computing system with several users and multiple processes that are multiprogrammed, the various processes need to be protected from one another's actions.
A mechanism for enhancing software, processes, or operators' access to the resources designated by a computing system is referred to as security.
The main protective actions of an OS are listed below.
- The OS ensures that control over system resource access is in place.
- The operating system ensures that irrational access attempts are prevented from external I/O devices.
- With the usage of passwords, the OS provides user verification features.
Privacy :OS provides us with the ability to conceal our vital information, much like a lock on a door that only you can open and others cannot. In essence, it respects our secrets and gives us the tools to protect them.
Time Management
Think of traffic lights as (OS), which tell all the cars (programs) whether to move (green)=>(under execution), stop (red)=>(simple queue), or start (yellow)=>(ready queue). After a set period of time, this light (control) at either side of the road (computer system) changes, allowing the cars (programs) from both sides of the road to move freely and without any traffic.
User Interface
Every operating system has a user interface, which is crucial. Either the graphical user interface, or GUI, or the command-line interface are used by users to interact with the operating system. The following user-specified command is carried out by the command interpreter.
A GUI provides an interface to the user in the form of a mouse-based window and menu system.
Networking
Devices linked to a network can send and receive data packets, connect to the internet, and manage network connections with one other by using this service.
Process Management
Let's approach the understanding of process management from a different angle. Think of the stove in our kitchen as the (CPU) where all the real cooking (execution) happens, and our chef as the (OS) who uses the stove (CPU) to make different dishes (program). The chef (OS) has to create a range of dishes (programs), therefore he ensures that every program has a chance to cook (execution) and that each program cooks rapidly. In the kitchen, the chef, or OS, basically allotted time for every program or dish to run smoothly, which allowed them to cook or carry out each of the many programs or meals efficiently.
Conclusion
To sum up, operating system services are critical for controlling computer resources, guaranteeing security and stability, enabling input/output operations, supporting multitasking, giving system administrators control, and promoting networking and communication. By facilitating optimal user and application-hardware and software interaction, these services contribute to a seamless and productive computing environment.
Who offers the interface through which users can access operating system services?
The system call offers an API (Application Program Interface) interface by which user programs can use to access operating system services.
What functions does the operating system offer?
Services for Operating Systems
- Implementing a Program.
- Manage Input/Output Equipment.
- Development of a Program.
- Error Identification and Reaction.
- Bookkeeping.
- Safety and defense.
- File Administration.
- Interaction.
What is the significance of operating system services?
They are crucial because they facilitate hardware and software communication, resource management, security, and multitasking.
What part in security do operating system services play?
They safeguard data integrity and system stability by preventing applications from interfering with one another.