Learn Vista - What is Operating System

Definition

Operating system (OS) is the first software that runs immediately after computer is turned on. It's tasks are arranging the use of hardware such as getting access to storage disk, management of memory space, applying processor, receive input data from keyboard, mouse, and other hardwares. Moreover, OS also manages other softwares run. Those hardwares and softwares can be utilized by human easily through OS.


Generally, the functions performed by OS are as follows:

- Interface to hardware
OS uses device drivers to connect to various hardwares. For example, OS orders the printer to print content of desired document.

-  Interface to human (user)
OS provides ways so that human can interact with computer. Human can give order to computer via the input hardware like mouse, keyboard, et cetera, as well as obtaining information processing results through the output hardware such as monitor screen, printer, and so on.

- Startup Process
Once OS runs, all main files of OS are located into memory while startup, then it decides another important files such as drivers for hardwares, etc, and then also locate them into memory.

- Memory Management
In real time, OS supervises the use of every space in memory (RAM). When the space is full of data, then OS runs virtual memory method by swapping data between RAM and harddisk.

- Run application programs
OS run any application programs desired by user. OS even allows user to create a set of instructions that form a program using programming language.

- Monitoring
OS always supervises the hardware and software problems and provide report to user as desired.

Parts of Operating System

Generally, OS is devided into some parts, among other things:
- Kernel, is a program that becomes the core of OS. It's jobs are to provide and monitor all applications connect the hardware safely.
- Boot Mechanism, puts kernel into memory at initial process after computer is turned on.
- Shell or Command Interpreter, has duty of receiving information from the input hardware.
- Libraries, provide a collection of basic and standard functions to be used by other application programs.
- Drivers, to interact with various hardwares which are connected to computer.


Kinds of Operating System

There are 3 kinds of  OS that are mostly used today, namely:
- DOS / Microsoft Windows, consists of some versions of DOS and versions of Windows such as Windows 3.x, Windows 9.x, and NT (2000, XP, Server 2003, and Vista)
- UNIX, such as SCO UNIX, BSD (Barkeley Software Distribution) family, GNU/Linux, GNU/Hurd, Agnix, Debian, Minix, et cetera.
- Mac OS, made by Apple, an IT based company that is located in California. Mac OS is popularly known as Mac or Macintosh.

Operating Systems that have similar work method with UNIX but not use UNIX label, are rather lots in number. Generally, they are distributed as open source, such as Linux, Open Solaris, Phoenix, Debian, BSD, Agnix, and so on.

Besides that, there are also Operating Systems that are aimed to manage computer network, among other things:
- Microsoft Windows NT Server
- Novel NetWare
- GNU/Linux
- Banyan VINES
- Some types of UNIX such as Solaris, Novell UnixWare, and SCO OpenServer.

May This page will be useful for you.