Operating System:
An operating system (OS) is system software that manages computer
hardware and software resources, facilitating user interaction and
ensuring efficient hardware utilization.Operating systems serve as
intermediaries between users, applications, and hardware, abstracting
hardware complexities, managing resources, and providing essential
functionalities for computer systems.
Two main goals of an operating system are:
1. Resource Management: The operating system's primary goal is to efficiently manage and
allocate computer hardware resources, including CPU time, memory,
storage, and devices, to ensure that multiple processes and applications
can run concurrently without conflicts.
2.
Abstraction and Simplification: Operating systems abstract the complexities of hardware, providing a
simplified and standardized interface for software applications and
users. This abstraction allows software to interact with the hardware
without needing to understand its intricate details, enhancing user
convenience and software portability.
Views of an Operating System:
An operating system (OS) is a fundamental software component that
manages computer hardware and provides services to software
applications. It serves as an intermediary between users and the
underlying hardware, offering different "views" or interfaces to cater
to various user needs and preferences. These views help users interact
with the system efficiently and effectively.
The different views of an operating system:
1.Command-Line Interface (CLI):
- The CLI is one of the oldest and most basic views of an operating system.
- Users interact with the system by typing text-based commands.
- It provides direct control over system resources and commands.
- Often preferred by system administrators and power users for its flexibility and scripting capabilities.
2.Graphical User Interface (GUI):
- GUI is a user-friendly, visually-oriented interface.
- It uses graphical elements like windows, icons, buttons, and menus.
- Allows users to interact with the system through pointing devices like a mouse or touchpad.
- Ideal for general users, as it provides an intuitive and visually appealing experience.
3.Application Programming Interface (API):
- APIs are used by software developers to interact with the operating system.
- They provide a set of functions and procedures that applications can use to access OS services.
- APIs abstract the underlying hardware and system calls, making it easier to develop cross-platform applications.
Examples include the Windows API (WinAPI), POSIX API for Unix-like
systems, and macOS Cocoa framework.
4.Network Interface:
- In network-centric environments, the OS provides a network view.
- It includes tools and settings for configuring and managing network connections.
- Users can monitor network status, set up connections, and troubleshoot network-related issues.
Examples include the network settings panel in Windows, macOS
Network Preferences, and Linux network management tools.
5.Virtual Machine Interfaces:
- In virtualized environments, the OS offers views tailored to virtual machines (VMs).
- These views allow users to manage and interact with VMs as if they were separate physical machines.
- Users can start, stop, and configure VMs, often using specialized management software like VMware Workstation or VirtualBox.
6.File System View:
- OS provides a file system view for organizing, accessing, and managing files and directories.
- Users can create, delete, copy, and move files using file managers or command-line utilities.
Examples include Windows File Explorer, macOS Finder, and Linux file
managers like Nautilus and Thunar.
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