User:Pratik Mandlik

Functions of Operating System\n

Operating systems perform the following important functions: i) Processor Management: It means assigning processor to different tasks which has to be performed by the computer system. ii) Memory Management: It means allocation of main memory and secondary storage areas to the system programmes, as well as user programmes and data. iii) Input and Output Management: It means co-ordination and assignment of the different output and input devices while one or more programmes are being executed. iv) File System Management: Operating system is also responsible for maintenance of a file system, in which the users are allowed to create, delete and move files. v) Establishment and Enforcement of a Priority System: It means the operating system determines and maintains the order in which jobs are to be executed in the computer system. vi) Assignment of system resources, both software and hardware to the various users of the system. An operating system has three main responsibilities: 1. Perform basic tasks, such as recognizing input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and directories on the disk and controlling peripheral devices such as disk drives and printers. 2. Ensure that different programs and users running at the same time do not interfere with each other. 3. Provide a software platform on top of which other programs (i.e., application software) can run. The first two responsibilities address the need for managing the computer hardware and the application programs that use the hardware. The third responsibility focuses on providing an interface between application software and hardware so that application software can be efficiently developed. Since the operating system is already responsible for managing the hardware, it should provide a programming interface for application developers. by pratik mandlik