Functions Of The Operating System Computer Science Essay

Functions Of The Operating System Computer Science Es register submissionA personal calculator consists of two components, the hardw are and the packet product. Hardware are basic each(prenominal)y physical components of the reckoner, in other words, they are tangible such as the motherboard, graphic card, hard drive, sound card, keyboard etc. package on the other hand are series of syllabuss, algorithms, procedures, and data that provide book of instructions and tell computers what childbeds to actualize and how to perform the tasks. packet are classified into two main types application software and system software. guinea pig of application software includes Skype, Microsoft office, iTunes, Windows Media Playeretc. System software is divided into two classes, utility curriculum which includes Anti Spyware, Anti-Virus, firewalletc. In order to ask the computer to run a system, to vie all the hardware and software, and sending an output to a device by recognizing an i nput, the computer mustiness have an operational system (OS)OS are set of software written with various data and programs that contain instructions and procedures to incorporate and perform the aforementioned tasks almost every personal computer comes with a preloaded OS.Types of Operating Systems in that respect are three main type of OS, there is the standalone OS, embedded OS and the server OS. These OSs usually have similar runs. Most personal computer uses the standalone OS. Mobiles, PDA uses the embedded OS such as Palm, Android, iPhone OS, Symbian, berryetc. The server OS are apply for configuring and backup purposes, example of the server OS would be UNIX, Solaris, and Windows Server 2008.Functions of the Operating System and how it WorksThe OS plays a vital role when it comes to starting and shutdown down the computer which is wish comfortablywise cognise as booting. Six steps take out when a computer is booting The first step begins as soon as the computer is tur ned on, the electrical signal reaches to the components in the system unit through the power supply. During the second step, the processor chip is reset referable to the electric signal and then it locates the ROM that contains the basic input/output system (BIOS), which is a microcode that contains the startup instructions of the computer. Next, the BIOS launches a series of tests to ensure hardware are working and connected properly, known as the power on self-test (POST), usually when the POST launches, the LED lights of the devices flicker, at multiplication there pass on be messages displaying on the screen. The forth step takes place when the POST compares the result with the complementary metal-oxide-sem filmductor (CMOS) chip data. CMOS uses bombardment power to preserve the information, data, and memory when the computer shut down. Besides that, it detects new devices and identifies them when these devices are connected to the computer. The cronk sound usually results when the CMOS detects which later followed by the error messages. The fifth step proceeds when the POST completes without any(prenominal) interference where the BIOS will locate the OS files in addition known as the system files from any witness of drive. The sixth steps occurs when the system file is located, which is then loaded into the RAM from its storage along the meaning of the OS. The system file then launches, and nettly, the OS which was stored in memory takes control of the whole computer system. During the final step, the OS loads the information setting. Certain OS may request for drug exploiter ID and password. After the OS loads, it displays the desktop screen and it starts up background processes.The second function of the OS is by providing a substance abuser interface. The two types of user interface are the graphical user interface (GUI) and the command-line interface. The GUI basically provides user with an easy way to perform a command or task by having the menus with buttons or other pictures to allow user to click it with ease. Instead of having simple buttons to click on, advance users work with command-line interface to configure, manage and troubleshoot devices and other software. The command-line interface works only with commands by development the keyboard. To perform such command, one must type in the commands accurately with the exact spellings and punctuations.OS also manages programs. It depends on certain OS, some OS fag only run one program at a time, while some can run up to thousands of programs at the same time with one or multiple users. There are the single user/single tasking OS, single user/multitasking OS, multiuser OS, and the multiprocessing OS. When one multitasks, the program that is actively used by the user is said to be in the foreground, while the other programs are known to be in the background.The OSs fourth function is memory management. The OS does so by transferring the data and program instruct ions from the RAM to the hard disk when they are not needed at the moment because at times there is only limited space for the RAM when it has to perform other functions, when the same data and program instructions is needed again, the OS then transfer them from the hard disk to the RAM.The fifth function of the OS is coordinating tasks. As the phrase implies, the OS determines the order of the tasks which are processed. User can adjust or set the priority of certain tasks, in which result the other tasks to queue up until the preceding task is performed.Every hardware has a driver which acts like a manual. The sixth function in this case, allows the computer to identify and install it without having the computer to thoroughly learn all the details of the hardware. With the Plug and Play engineering today, the OS can automatically configure the new devices as the devices are installed on the computer.The OS is also very important by providing a consistent way for software to deal wi th hardware without having the computer to thoroughly learn all the details of hardware. The OS interacts with the hardware via drivers. An easy example would be place a printer to many computers.The seventh function allows user to easily connect to the internet sort of of having to configure the tedious broadband service. OS can automatically configure the internet connection.The OS also function as a performance monitor, which in this case identify and reports information about the software or the devices of the computer.File management allows user to easily access their files and documents by allowing users to organize it. It also allows user to search or locate their files at ease and install new programs or software. The ninth function is important because without it, the computer will be a mess where all the files and programs are not head organized and randomly wonders in the computer. The OS also provides other utility such as killing up, defragmenting, diagnosing, and b acking up the files and disks.With internet access, the OS is able to notify the user or update software automatically when an update is available. Many OS today comes with the automatic update feature. These updates are useful when it comes to attachment program bugs and errors. Sometimes, these updates can enhance the performance of the driver.Last but not least, the OS is also meant for imperative the network and administering security by providing an administrator account. A typical account usually consist of the user ID and password.Without the OS, the computer is said to be useless and unable to perform. The example of a personal computer OS are Windows7, Mac OS X, Linux, Amigo, Haikuetc.Operating System DetailsName of OS high societyCurrent versionAverage PriceCapabilitiesAdditional Info.Amiga OS 4Hyperion Entertainment4.1 Update$164eCom locateSerenity SystemsOS/2Home Student(5 licenses)- $149Business Edition(unlimited licenses) -$259HaikuHaiku Inc.R1/Alpha2FreeMac OS XAp ple Inc.10.6.7Bundled with hardwareUpgrades $29-$49OS/2IBM and Microsoft4.52$300PC-BSDPC-BSD Software8.2FreeMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoftWindows 7 (Build 7601 Service Pack 1)Home Basic (Retail) $99.95,Home Premium (Retail) $119.95, Business (Retail) $299.95,Ultimate (Retail) $300.95RISC OSAcorn Computers,Castle Technology,RISCOS Ltd,RISC OS OpenRISC OS6.10 Select4i4 and RISC OS 5.13Bundled with hardware change separately at $127ZETAyellowTAB1.2DiscontinuedReactOSReactOS development team0.3.13FreeUbuntuCanonical Ltd./Ubuntu Foundation11.04FreeLinux foundGoogle Chrome OSGoogle Inc.0.12.433.57 (Beta)Beginning at $349Linux basedWindows 7 versus Mac OS X blow LeopardInterfaceGUI(ease of use)DesktopImage retrieved from arstechnica.comThe differences between the Windows 7s desktop (on the left) and Mac OS Xs desktop (on the right) is that the Windows 7 allows you to add gadgets on the windows sidebar gadgets. In addition, if a program is running on the Windows 7, you are able to bring in th at the application icon is highlighted at the bottom. Whereas, to see whether a program is running on the Mac or not, it requires an additional steps by putting the mouse arrow to the second last icon on the Mac OS Xs dock. A list will appear indicating which programs are in use like the image bellow.Image retrieved from arstechnica.comIt can also be seen in the previous image, that the position of the desktop icon and the minimize, restore down/up, and close buttons are different. In Windows 7, the desktop icon default position is on the left, and the buttons are on the top right of the windows explorer. On a Mac OS X, the positions as well as the order of the buttons are different, having this order from the left close, minimize, and restore up/down.Toolbar/ docksImage retrieved from arstechnica.comInstead of using the feature call toolbar, the Mac OS X uses something call the dock to locate the applications and so on. As one can reference from the image below, the dock actually l ooks graphically nicer than the windows toolbar. As the user place the mouse arrow along the dock, the software icon will expand slightly indicating it is selected.Image retrieved from arstechnica.comHowever, say when the same internet browser is been launched twice, windows 7CompatibilityHardware(drivers)HDDfile system types format cannot supportOS commonly usedFile System TypesWindows7Mac OS XFATYesFAT16YesNoFAT32YesNoNTFSYesYes(Read only)Software (games)Chemistry sketchInternet explorerGunboundEmulators no$GBA, ndsemumeMaple storyBoot CampBOOT refugee camp (Window7 thing)Price( bought separately, MAC is always bundled with hardware)PerformanceSpeedBattery/power consumptionIf one can neer convert just a simple criticism to a form of motivating device, yet winning it personally and one will never learnOverall Users preference