Operating System Revision
Definition:
An operating system is a piece of software which is used to
control all hardware, software, input, output and user
interactions.
It does the following
things:
Controls the operation of:
Input devices
Output devices
Backing Storage
RAM
Manages resources such as Memory, CPU time, storage devices
Enables the loading, running and storage of software
Handles errors that occur in software being used
Allows communication between the user and computer through an interface
There are TWO main parts to an OS:
1.
Kernel
The Kernel is a core piece of the operating system. It is responsible for low level control of hardware. The user never
“sees” or interacts with the Kernel.
2.
Interface
The interface is the point at which users
can interact with a system. The interface allows users to input information, to control the system and to see the outcomes of their actions through output.
There are SEVERAL types of
Interface, you need to know TWO:
GUI – Graphical User Interface
CLI – Command Line Interface
GUI
A GUI has 4 main components Windows, Icons, Menus and a Pointer (WIMP)
Advantages:
Intuitive
– using a WIMP interface is a natural way of working – you shouldn’t need help or training
Multitasking – Windows enable users to open many programs, to move between them easily and transfer data between applications
Icons –
Make it obvious what a program, file or folder is with a graphical representation
Pointers
– Pointing is a natural way of selecting things
Disadvantages:
Resource
intensive – requires a lot of processing power/time and memory
Can become confusing – users may find interfaces cluttered with icons or open programs difficult to navigate
CLI
A command line interface is used to control a computer system
solely through the use of text commands, entered by the user. The computer only
responds in the form of text based messages and information. They are used by
technicians, programmers and
power-users.
Advantages:
Extremely
fast – CLI’s take up little system resources and CPU time, can run on old or
limited hardware
Can use
“scripts” – scripts are files which contain many commands and can be used to
perform repetitive tasks very quickly or to automate tasks such as daily
backups
Disadvantages:
Can be
very confusing to new or untrained
users
Sometimes
do not provide detailed error messages or feedback to help
users
An operating system is a piece of software which is used to
control all hardware, software, input, output and user
interactions.
It does the following
things:
Controls the operation of:
Input devices
Output devices
Backing Storage
RAM
Manages resources such as Memory, CPU time, storage devices
Enables the loading, running and storage of software
Handles errors that occur in software being used
Allows communication between the user and computer through an interface
There are TWO main parts to an OS:
1.
Kernel
The Kernel is a core piece of the operating system. It is responsible for low level control of hardware. The user never
“sees” or interacts with the Kernel.
2.
Interface
The interface is the point at which users
can interact with a system. The interface allows users to input information, to control the system and to see the outcomes of their actions through output.
There are SEVERAL types of
Interface, you need to know TWO:
GUI – Graphical User Interface
CLI – Command Line Interface
GUI
A GUI has 4 main components Windows, Icons, Menus and a Pointer (WIMP)
Advantages:
Intuitive
– using a WIMP interface is a natural way of working – you shouldn’t need help or training
Multitasking – Windows enable users to open many programs, to move between them easily and transfer data between applications
Icons –
Make it obvious what a program, file or folder is with a graphical representation
Pointers
– Pointing is a natural way of selecting things
Disadvantages:
Resource
intensive – requires a lot of processing power/time and memory
Can become confusing – users may find interfaces cluttered with icons or open programs difficult to navigate
CLI
A command line interface is used to control a computer system
solely through the use of text commands, entered by the user. The computer only
responds in the form of text based messages and information. They are used by
technicians, programmers and
power-users.
Advantages:
Extremely
fast – CLI’s take up little system resources and CPU time, can run on old or
limited hardware
Can use
“scripts” – scripts are files which contain many commands and can be used to
perform repetitive tasks very quickly or to automate tasks such as daily
backups
Disadvantages:
Can be
very confusing to new or untrained
users
Sometimes
do not provide detailed error messages or feedback to help
users