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What are the main functions of OS? Explain in detail with example

What are the main functions of OS? Explain in detail with example

Database System Concepts
Database System Concepts
7th Edition
ISBN:9780078022159
Author:Abraham Silberschatz Professor, Henry F. Korth, S. Sudarshan
Publisher:Abraham Silberschatz Professor, Henry F. Korth, S. Sudarshan
Chapter1: Introduction
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1PE
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**What are the main functions of an OS? Explain in detail with examples.** An operating system (OS) acts as an intermediary between users and the computer hardware. Its main functions include: 1. **Process Management**: An OS handles the creation, scheduling, and termination of processes. It allocates resources to processes and ensures efficient execution. For example, in a multitasking environment, the OS allows multiple applications to run simultaneously by sharing CPU time. 2. **Memory Management**: This function manages computer memory, including primary memory (RAM) and cache. It keeps track of each byte in a computer's memory and handles the allocation and deallocation of memory spaces as needed by programs. For example, when you open a document, the OS loads it into RAM to make it quickly accessible. 3. **File System Management**: The OS handles file operations like creation, deletion, reading, and writing. It organizes files into directories for easy navigation and ensures data security. For example, when you save a file, the OS writes the data to a specific location on the storage drive. 4. **Device Management**: An OS manages device communication via their respective drivers, taking care of data transmission between the computer and peripheral devices like printers and scanners. For instance, when printing a document, the OS sends the data to the printer efficiently. 5. **User Interface**: Operating systems provide users with a graphical or command-line interface to interact with the computer. For example, Windows OS provides a GUI where users manage files and applications using windows, icons, and menus. 6. **Security and Access Control**: The OS provides security features such as password protection and access control to prevent unauthorized access. For instance, modern OS like Linux allow users to set permissions on files and directories. Each function is crucial for ensuring the smooth operation of a computer system, allowing applications and users to perform tasks efficiently.
Transcribed Image Text:**What are the main functions of an OS? Explain in detail with examples.** An operating system (OS) acts as an intermediary between users and the computer hardware. Its main functions include: 1. **Process Management**: An OS handles the creation, scheduling, and termination of processes. It allocates resources to processes and ensures efficient execution. For example, in a multitasking environment, the OS allows multiple applications to run simultaneously by sharing CPU time. 2. **Memory Management**: This function manages computer memory, including primary memory (RAM) and cache. It keeps track of each byte in a computer's memory and handles the allocation and deallocation of memory spaces as needed by programs. For example, when you open a document, the OS loads it into RAM to make it quickly accessible. 3. **File System Management**: The OS handles file operations like creation, deletion, reading, and writing. It organizes files into directories for easy navigation and ensures data security. For example, when you save a file, the OS writes the data to a specific location on the storage drive. 4. **Device Management**: An OS manages device communication via their respective drivers, taking care of data transmission between the computer and peripheral devices like printers and scanners. For instance, when printing a document, the OS sends the data to the printer efficiently. 5. **User Interface**: Operating systems provide users with a graphical or command-line interface to interact with the computer. For example, Windows OS provides a GUI where users manage files and applications using windows, icons, and menus. 6. **Security and Access Control**: The OS provides security features such as password protection and access control to prevent unauthorized access. For instance, modern OS like Linux allow users to set permissions on files and directories. Each function is crucial for ensuring the smooth operation of a computer system, allowing applications and users to perform tasks efficiently.
Expert Solution
Step 1: Operating system

An operating system (OS) is a crucial piece of software that does as a bridge between a computer system's hardware and its installed applications or programs. There are a number of crucial OS functions, and I'll go through each one in depth with examples:

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