An operating system is a set of programs that, through electronic orders, control the total activity of the computer. Something like a conductor who puts everything in order and ensures that all parts of the machine work together. Usually it runs on the computer when we turn it on. Every computer must have an operating system installed in order to function. The definition indicates that it is a group of computer programs that offer the possibility of managing in a more efficient way the resources that a computer has.
What is an Operative System
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The definition of operating system indicates that it is a group of computer programs that offer the possibility of managing in a more efficient way the resources that a computer has, this is also known under the name of system software.
To understand what an operating system is, it is necessary to mention that the operation of this type of program starts from the moment the computer is turned on, since its job is to manage the hardware from its initial phases and at the same time make it possible interaction with the user.
Therefore, it can be said that the concept of operating system describes the most important program that a computer uses, since it is he who coordinates the applications and services that the user uses, which means that through it, the rest of The software inside a computer can function normally, since it allows the recognition of some connections, creates controls, offers security, shipments, among others. The most widely used software programs today are the Windows operating system, Linux operating system, OS / 2 and DOS.
Throughout the history of operating systems, it is important to highlight that the first versions of computers did not have systems like these, something that is difficult to assimilate today. During the sixties computers used so-called batch processors.
Years later, the creation of OS (Operating Systems) began, although it is true that in the 80's some recognized ones had already been created among the community, it was in the 90's when these software began to be a little more flexible and at the same time strong, one of the landmarks of the time being the Windows 95 operating system.
Nowadays, the operating system of a computer can be found even on the web, where it is even possible to download the operating system of the version that is required.
In the definition of the operating system, its purposes are highlighted, which are to manage the intermediate core, provide hardware protection and also manage location resources, a tool that prevents application programmers from having to do the same process manually.
The evolution of operating systems has led to a large part of the electronic devices that use microprocessors for their operation, also have a built-in operating system, some examples are cell phones, DVD players, radios, computers, etc.
In this case they are manipulated through a graphical user interface, a desktop environment or a window manager, in the case of cell phones this is done through a console and the DVD through the remote control, all of these they are data that allow us to better understand what an operating system is.
What is an operating system for
One of the things an operating system is used for is to allow other software to lean on said program and thus be able to function efficiently, for that reason is that according to the system that is used, certain programs may or may not be installed.
Likewise, operating systems can be classified according to the number of tasks that they can execute simultaneously, as well as according to the number of users who can use said programs and also by the time in which they are executed, which can be or not real. It should be noted that these are just some of the classifications that exist.
The concept of operating system indicates that it has three significant and essential elements, they refer to the software packages that make it possible for the hardware to interact with the software itself.
- Command Interpretation: these are those components that allow the commands to be interpreted, their main objective is to communicate the commands or orders that the user executes, this is done through a language that can be interpreted by the hardware, without the need for whoever executes the order has some knowledge of that language
- File system: it is a kind of file database, where they acquire a tree-like structure.
- Core: finally, there is the core, which is responsible for allowing the operation of basic areas such as data input and output, communication, memory management and processing, etc.
Elements of an operating system
The operating system is made up of four modules, which are the Kernel or kernel, the memory manager, input and output system and finally the file manager. There are those who consider that there is a fifth module, which is the command interpreter, who is responsible for translating the commands that the user performs through the keyboard or other device.
Core or Kernel
It is the lowest level module of the operating system, it rests on the hardware of a computer, some of the tasks that it must perform are to handle interferences, assign tasks to the processor, offer communication channels between programs, among others. In general, the kernel is responsible for controlling the other modules and at the same time, synchronizes their execution.
Similarly, the kernel has a submodule known as a scheduler, whose job is to indicate the processor time to the different programs, this following a certain planning pattern that may be different between operating systems. In general, what is done is to establish a hierarchy of priorities, which are responsible for determining how the CPU time should be allocated to each software.
Memory manager
The memory manager, on the other hand, is who is in charge of assigning some parts of the RAM memory to the programs, or to fractions of them that require it, at the same time that the rest of the programs and data are located in the storage devices massive. In this way, when a portion of the main memory is assigned, it is done in a structured way, following a certain pattern.
The most common way to manage memory involves the creation of virtual memory, through it the memory of the computer will appear for anyone who uses the system, much more than it really is.
Entry and exit system
This element presents the user input and output of data as something independent of the computer, which means that for the user, all equipment will have the same characteristics and will be treated in the same way, with the OS being responsible for dealing with the peculiarities of each one of them, one of them being the reaction speed. A widely used technique, especially in data output, is the use of spoolers.
The output information is temporarily stored in a queue that is located in a mass storage device, this until the peripheral device is released, thus preventing a program from being retained because the peripheral is not available. SSOs have calls to remove or add spool files.
File manager
The purpose of the file manager is to maintain the structures of the programs, as well as the data of the users and the systems programs, which are kept in files, as well as to ensure the correct use of mass storage devices. This element is also in charge of supervising the creation, development, updating and finally deletion of files, also maintaining a directory with each of the files that are in the system at all times, and it collaborates with the module that manages memory during transfers. data to and from central memory.
It is important to point out that if you have a virtual memory system, there is transfer between the mass storage media and the central memory, this is to maintain the structure of said memory. The files stored in mass storage devices have different purposes, some are used to store information for sharing, others contain private information, etc.
For this reason, each file has a series of access privileges, which show the extension with which the information contained in said file can be shared. The operating system takes care to ensure that these privileges are not bypassed.
Functions of an operating system
The functions of an operating system that stand out the most are managing memory processes and managing communication between applications.
Process management
It is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding parts of an operating system, since the processes are the resources that a software requires to be able to be executed correctly. This requires certain elements, such as CPU time, memory usage and the presence of files to which the application requires access in order to run. The OS so that it can take care of the correct operation of the machine, is dedicated to the creation and destruction of processes, as well as stopping and starting them, not to mention its contribution to the communication mechanisms between one process and another.
Main memory management
Managing the main memory is another highly relevant element. For its part, memory consists of a data warehouse that is shared by applications and the CPU, which also loses its functionality if there is any problem. For this reason it is important that the operating system takes care of memory management, so that it is not overloaded and the information stored there can be seen. The OS takes care that certain parts of the memory are used and why. It makes decisions about where to locate the processes when there is free space and allocates and reclaims that required space, so that memory is well used.
Secondary storage management
Memory is characterized by being something quite volatile and in the event of any failure it can end up losing the information it contains, for that reason, it is necessary that there be a second storage module, so that the data remains there in the long term, In the same way that it happens with the central memory, the OS, takes care of managing the free space and assigns the storage order, it also takes care that everything is stored correctly, as well as how much and where there is free space.
Management of the entry and exit system
In the same way, the operating system is responsible for managing the output and input ports of a computer, such as for headphones, monitor, printer, etc.
Previously, when you wanted to install a new external port, it was essential to have an installation disk where the drivers were recorded, so that the computer could accept it. Nowadays, the operating system of the computer is in charge of locating in the network, all the information that is needed so that the new, external ports work correctly.
File system log
The files are formats that are created by the owners themselves, which are converted into tables, and it is the operating system that is responsible for registering and storing them. The OS are also responsible for building, deleting and storing all the files that are created, as well as providing the necessary tools to access the files when they are needed. It also offers communication between files and storage units, configuring it to make backup copies of each one, in case of an accident, information is not lost.
Security
In this item, it should be noted that the operating system is in charge of computer security, one of the most important actions being accessibility to programs or users where they should not enter. There are a large number of viruses that can damage the system, and it is the OS that is responsible for this not happening. It is possible to configure the software so that controls are carried out from time to time, and in the same way establish the security controls that must be carried out.
Communication between elements and applications
Through the network interface, the OS maintains communication between the different elements of the computer, as well as all the programs that are related to them. Receive and send information.
Report system status
There are a large number of applications that by default are installed together with the operating system, however they are not considered a system. They provide a means and basic characteristics to develop and run the programs installed on the computer. In the same way, it informs the status of the system, that is, if it is necessary to approve any action, such as the case of installing automatic updates.
Likewise, it offers support for different computer languages, so that any application is operative on the computer, for this it has programs that improve communication between applications.
Resource management
It manages each of the main parts of the computer through a resource manager, in its function of managing it also involves the security and communication of the CPU and external devices that connect to the computer. In the same way that it happens with the secondary and internal memory, where sometimes, it is necessary to clean and replace parts that are stored from one to another. In general, it manages all the resources of the system and all the elements that are in contact with that system.
Users Management
Finally, it also deals with the management of profiles saved on the computer, also depending on who created the profile. User management can be multiple or individual, this does not mean that the operating system allows only one user profile to be created to be able to use the computer.
Types of operating systems
The types of Operating Systems are classified according to the following criteria:
- Task management criteria: These in turn are classified into single-task and multitasking, the former are characterized by executing one program at a time, apart from the operating system's own processes, for their part, the latter can manage CPU resources to achieve some simultaneity in the processes that are executed.
- User administration criteria: In this case we can speak of single-user systems, that is, they allow control only to one user, there are also multi-user systems, which are used based on sessions.
- Resource management criteria. There are centralized operating systems, which are limited to a single computer in their sector of influence, and there are also distributed systems, which manage different computers simultaneously.
It should be noted that this is the classification of the most common operating systems, however there are other less frequent ones:
Operating system of a computer
Operating systems are generally installed on the computer, and in most cases the user does not make modifications to it, however, it can be updated, modified or replaced.
Each operating system of a computer has a graphical interface for the user, which allows the use of external tools or hardware, such as the mousse, by clicking on the icons, or by interacting with other elements for the purpose to execute some task, which makes it clear what the operating system on the computer is for.
The examples of operating systems most used in the world are:
Microsoft Windows
Among the types of operating systems, the one that has the greatest weight is Windows, created during the 80s, currently the most recent versions are Windows 10 which was created in September 2014, Windows 8 created in 2012, Windows 7 in 2009 and Windows Vista in 2007. This operating system comes pre-installed on most computers, making it the most popular operating system in the world.
Mac OS X
This operating system was created by the company Apple Inc. And it is installed in all the computers that are manufactured by said company, at present the most recent versions of this system are known as the Mac OS operating system, the specific names being of each version, Maverick, which was launched on the market in 2013, Mountain Lion for its part, came on the market in 2012, Lion in 2011, Snow Leopard in 2009. Apple also offers users a version called MacOS X Server, which was designed to run on servers.
Linux Ubuntu
Another example of operating systems is Linux Ubuntu. This operating system has as its main characteristic that it is open source, which means that it can be distributed and modified by any user in the world, which is a huge advantage, since this allows said OS to be free and also allows you to choose between the different existing versions. In personal computers, the Linux operating system despite being completely free, is used in few computers, however, in most company servers, Linux is used, since it is easier to customize. Between the. Versions that stand out are Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and Linux.
Operating System of a telephone
Mobile operating systems or mobile OS are a series of low-level programs that make possible the abstraction of the characteristics of the specific hardware of cell phones and offer services to mobile applications, which are executed on it. These systems are simpler and are aimed at wireless connectivity, as well as the way to enter information and multimedia formats.
Certain mobile operating systems are based on the layered model. The most common systems are:
Android
This is undoubtedly the most used phone operating system in the world, it is based on Linux. It was initially designed for professional cameras, later it was acquired by Google and modified to use it in mobile devices, such as smartphones and later in tablets, at present this system is under development so that it can be used on PC and Notebook. Its developer is Google, it was launched in 2008.
ios
The operating system of an Apple phone is the iOS, being characteristic only of the devices manufactured by the company Apple Inc. And it is used in devices such as the iPod Touch, iPhone, iPad and Apple TV. Optimization and simplicity are the foundation of its success, as people prefer it over other mobile OS that requires higher-powered hardware for OS fluency.
