Tutorial Playlist
47 Lessons1. Introduction to Operating System
2. Types of Operating Systems
3. Linux Operating System
4. An Introduction To Unix Operating System
5. Ubuntu Operating System
6. MS DOS Operating System
7. Mobile Operating System
8. Understanding Functions of Operating System
Now Reading
9. Components of Operating System
10. Understanding the Kernel in Operating Systems
11. Structure of Operating System
12. Process in Operating System
13. What is Bios
14. What is Booting in Computer
15. What is Interrupt in Operating System?
16. Process Control Block in Operating Systems
17. Threads in Operating System
18. Process Synchronization in OS
19. Critical Section in OS
20. Semaphore in Operating System
21. Deadlock in Operating System
22. Deadlock Prevention in OS
23. Paging in Operating System
24. Segmentation in Operating System
25. Virtual Memory in Operating System
26. File System in Operating Systems
27. Page Table in OS
28. Round Robin Scheduling in Operating System
29. Shortest Job First Scheduling Algorithm
30. Priority Scheduling in OS
31. Page Replacement Algorithms in Operating System
32. Race Condition in OS
33. Distributed Operating System
34. Navigating Contiguous Memory Allocation in Operating Systems
35. Fragmentation in Operating System
36. Banker’s Algorithm in OS
37. Context Switching in OS
38. First Come First Serve (FCFS) Scheduling Algorithm in Operating System
39. Understanding Inter Process Communication in OS
40. Multiprogramming Operating System
41. Python OS Module
42. Preemptive Priority Scheduling Algorithm
43. Resource Allocation Graph in OS
44. Scheduling Algorithms in OS
45. System Calls In Operating System
46. Thrashing in Operating Systems: A Deep Dive
47. Time Sharing Operating System
Looking back at my computer science journey, the operating system is one of the most fundamental yet important concepts I’ve encountered. And particularly, the functions of operating systems that allow you to smoothly perform various tasks without hiccups, are what caught my eye the most.
Now, I aim to explain what exactly the operating system does and what are some important functions of operating system, in a manner that is easy to understand. Keep reading to understand what are the functions of operating systems, like process management, device management, memory management, and much more.
Operating systems are pivotal in the computing environment, offering a range of functionalities that form the backbone of everything that you go on to do. In my view, the roles of an operating system can be broadly listed as follows:
These are some of the more important roles performed by an operating system. Now, talking about functions of OS, those too are built on these roles itself. At this point, if you find yourself wondering – “why do I need to know the functions of operating system?” well, let’s first tackle that problem!
OS is the central nervous system of a computer, silently conducting the interaction between the hardware and software. An in-depth knowledge of its functions will not only add to your knowledge but will also develop your skills in different domains of computing. This will be even more useful when you go deeper into computer science and take up a master’s course or a diploma.
Let’s look at the three most important reasons that make it important for any aspiring computer science professional to understand the functions of operating system:
The fact that the operating system makes available to applications resources such as memory, CPU, and devices helps to better understand how applications can best be optimized for whatever usage conditions that may arise. For example, knowing memory management helps designers solve the problem of effective usage of RAM, but also understanding processor management assists in writing multithreading programs that do not `undermine` the system performance.
Security is the first assessment when it comes to today’s digital services. By understanding the security and error detection features of an OS, users can better preserve their sensitive data and will be able to make sure that the system is working fine. Knowing access controls, encryption techniques, and user authentication processes will drive sound decisions on how to implement strict security policies and practices.
Acquiring the basics of OS functions can be a key to a successful troubleshooting diagnosis and resolution. Whether monitoring the data to make a decision about the cause of the performance bottleneck or handling the hardware compatibility issue, working on the computer hardware, file systems, and networking basics will help to be sure to find the proper answer in less time.
Now that you understand why the functions of OS are critical let’s dive into some of the core functions of OS and see how that goes. Let’s understand the functions of operating system.
In the previous section, I listed down some of the important roles of an operating system. Building on that, now let me explain functions of operating system in simple words:
Memory management employs a wide range of techniques that cover even the process of identifying which memory units are in use or free. It is a system that involves memory allocation (including paging, swapping, and virtual memory management). The operating system uses algorithms and strategies to decide at what time to allocate the memory for processes and when to reclaim the memory for the applications, balancing between speed and efficiency.
The disk, used as temporary memory, extends on-board memory by the virtual memory. Then, through it, the larger programs may be executed, and the multitasking process is made better. Memory management comprises protection mechanisms that prevent malfunction of one process on the memory of the other. This ensures system stability and security by running them alongside, respectively.
Process management function of operating system is crucially important to enable multi-user working environments. It implements advanced load scheduling algorithms (e.g., round-robin, priority-based, and others) to govern process statuses (running, waiting, etc.) and to coordinate CPU resources.
The aim is to make the most of the processor time and to make sure interactive processes are not becoming too slow and every application is being treated just. In addition, the OS calls for context switching, where the state of a process is saved in case it is required to continue execution in the future, thus allowing the CPU to be shared by several processes.
The device management mechanism performed by the operating system is one of the main functions of operating system. It involves the installation of device drivers, system interruptions, and buffers. Device drivers are the types of programs that let the OS handle the communication between the software and the hardware devices and translate the high-level commands into the particular instructions the device requires.
Operating systems employ interrupt handling for responsive and proper device management – as it allows the operating system to prioritize more urgent tasks. Meanwhile, buffering is used to store data temporarily while it is being transferred between two entities, ensuring smooth data flow and reducing the load on the system.
When dealing with files, it is not just simple operations like copying, editing, and moving that are involved. There are other aspects, like file system organization, management of disk space, and access control that are very essential. The OS creates the layout of the file system so that it will be efficient as well as convenient for the users. It uses hierarchical directories that permit you to have a specified storage for each file and therefore quick access.
Access control mechanisms, which form the basic functions of an operating system, are the guardians defending only the privileged users in terms of accessing or editing files by fighting the potential misuse of confidential information. Disk space management consists of methods like space allocation and deallocation, disk operation scheduling techniques and file fragmentation management, thereby providing more efficient disk space use.
The interface of operating systems reflects diversity and accessibility issues through its nature of handling its users’ specific preferences and accessibility needs. However, command-line interfaces (CLI) are aimed at power users who prefer a high level of control. On the other hand, window user interfaces (GUI) are mainly used by novice or non-technical users due to their visual nature and intuitiveness.
Recent operating systems are often set to touch screens or voice instructions improving access to users and usability. These interfaces are approaching new capabilities and are being fine-tuned to provide an ever-improving user experience, efficiency and ease of use with both applications and system settings.
Operating systems employ a multi-principled security approach that includes more than just authentication and encryption. For instance, ACLs, user roles, and audit tools are some of the elements of this strategy. They work on logging in and outputs and watch for sensitive information that may have been compromised in this way.
The OS error detection mechanism is rather sophisticated. It is composed of hardware and software that participate in system performance monitoring and pointing out anomalies, fixing recoverable mistakes, and notification of users about irrecoverable issues affecting their system, which they would need to address.
Network management in operating systems and its functions involves complex protocols and services that facilitate both local and internet-based communications. This includes managing network interfaces, configuring IP addresses, controlling data packet routing, and ensuring secure data transmission through encryption protocols and secure network access policies.
The OS optimizes data flow to maintain high performance and reliability of network services, adapting to various network conditions and managing network resources efficiently.
Operating systems provide a suite of system services that are crucial for the execution and management of applications. These services include process management, file handling, security services, and more, offering a standardized API for application developers.
Performance monitoring tools within the OS give insights into system operations, such as resource utilization and system bottlenecks. These tools help in diagnosing system issues, planning for capacity upgrades, and ensuring that the system runs smoothly under varying loads.
The operating system and its functions in a computer control its various functionalities with the help of the bridge between hardware and user applications. They utilize system resources, easily connect users, and maintain security, among other things. Knowing the intricacies of functions of operating system is equally important for users and developers alike, for it is the OS functions that affect how well a computing task performs, how reliable it is, and how secure it is.
If you want to dive deeper into the world of computer science or operating systems in particular, check out the array of courses offered by upGrad today!
1. What are the functions of operating system security?
Operating system security functions include managing user authentication, authorizing access to resources, encrypting data, and protecting against external threats.
2. What is the function of the Windows operating system?
The Windows operating system provides a graphical user interface (GUI), file management, process management, and security features, facilitating user interaction with the computer.
3. What is the function of iOS?
iOS functions similarly by offering a user-friendly interface, application management, security features, and seamless integration with Apple's ecosystem.
4. Why is memory management an essential function of the operating system?
Memory management optimizes the distribution of memory among applications and processes, ensuring efficient performance and preventing system crashes.
5. How does the operating system facilitate file management?
The OS manages file creation, storage, retrieval, and deletion, and organizes data in a structured manner for easy access and security.
6 . What role does the operating system play in handling input and output (I/O) operations?
The OS manages I/O operations by translating user inputs into machine operations and ensuring that the system's outputs are correctly displayed to the user.
7. How does the operating system provide a user interface (UI)?
Operating systems offer graphical or command-line interfaces that allow users to interact with the computer through visual elements or text commands.
8. How does the operating system ensure security and access control?
The OS implements security protocols, manages user permissions, and employs encryption to protect the system and data from unauthorized access and threats.
Rohan Vats
Passionate about building large scale web apps with delightful experiences. In pursuit of transforming engineers into leaders.
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upGrad does not grant credit; credits are granted, accepted or transferred at the sole discretion of the relevant educational institution offering the diploma or degree. We advise you to enquire further regarding the suitability of this program for your academic, professional requirements and job prospects before enr...