Operating Systems Flashcards
What are the main roles of an operating system?
Managing resources
Providing user interface
Disk organisation
System maintenance tools
What resources are managed in an operating system?
Managing peripherals such as input and output devices Managing printing using spooling Managing backing store Managing RAM Managing processes Managing security
Explain the management of peripherals such as input and output devices in an operating system.
Communicates with and sends data output to a printer/monitor/other valid output device.
Communicates with and receives data input to a keyboard/mouse/other valid input device.
Explain the management of printing using spooling in an operating system.
Data is stored on a hard disk/in memory/stored in a queue.
Document is printed when printer is free/in correct order.
Benefit of spooling – user can carry on working/log off when waiting for job to print.
Explain the management of backing store in an operating system.
Ensures data is stored and can be retrieved correctly from any disk drive.
Creates and maintains filing system such asfile allocation table (FAT) or new technology file systems (NTFS).
Organises files in a hierarchical directory structure.
Explain the management of RAM in an operating system.
Ensures that programs/data do not corrupt each other.
Ensures that all programs and data, including itself, are stored in correct memory locations.
Explain the management of processes in an operating system.
Ensures that different processes can utilise the CPU and do not interfere with each other or crash.
On a multi-tasking O/S, ensures that all tasks appear to run simultaneously.
Explain the management of security in an operating system.
Allows creation and deletion of user accounts.
Allows users to logon and change passwords.
What is the function of the user interface?
allows copying/deleting/moving/sorting/searching of file or folders
allows access to system settings such as hardware
provides a command line interface
allows users to have more than one window open
provides a graphical user interface (Windows, Icons, Menus, Pointers)
provides user with error/help messages
allows customisation of interface, e.g. change desktop background/layout
allows user to switch between tasks (programs/windows).
What is HCI?
Human-computer interaction, describing the communication between people and computer systems.
What is GUI?
Graphical User Interface
Adavantages of GUI
Intuitive Easy to navigate Uses Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointers No complicated commands Data between different software applications is easily exchanged
Disadvantages of GUI
Requires a large amount of memory
Is relatively processor intensive
Computing experts may find a GUI slower than a CLI
GUIs take up a much larger amount of hard disk space than other interfaces
What is a Menu-driven interface?
An interface allowing people interacting with the computer system by presenting as set of menus.
What are the advantages of a menu-driven interface?
No need to learn a lot of commands
