Introduction and Features of Operating Systems

An operating system (OS) is a collection of software that manages computer hardware resources and provides common services for computer programs. The operating system is a vital component of the system software in a computer system. Application programs require an operating system to function.

Time-sharing operating systems schedule tasks for efficient use of the system and may also include accounting for cost allocation of processor time, mass storage, printing, and other resources.

For hardware functions such as input and output and memory allocation, the operating system acts as an intermediary between programs and the computer hardware, although the application code is usually executed directly by the hardware and will frequently make a system call to an OS function or be interrupted by it. Operating systems can be found on almost any device that contains a computer—from cellular phones and video game consoles to supercomputers and web servers.

Examples of popular modern operating systems include Android, BSD, iOS, Linux, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, Windows Phone, and IBM z/OS. All these, except Windows and z/OS, share roots in UNIX.

Features of Operating Systems

The features of the operating systems are totally dependent on the type of software. Every operating system differs from each other in some features while there are some features which are common in all operating systems.

Some of the features of operating systems are detailed here.

• Software and hardware management

The operating system is the bridge between computer hardware and software and makes the communication between them possible. Also communication between different software in the computer is also taken care by operating system.

• Constant API

Application Program Interface (API) is a software that allows different applications that run on a computer to work on other computers also. But they should have same operating system. So it is very vital to have consistent API in the operating system.

• Execution of programs

Programs running in the computer are completely dependent on the operating system. But program execution is a tough process. The multitasking and multithreading features of the operating system are dependent upon the type of program execution feature of O.S.

• Interruptions

Interruption may happen at any time while using the computers. So the operating system should allow and handle many numbers of interrupts. Whenever an interruption occurs, the operating system should respond to it by saving and stopping the current execution and work on the new execution. This is the most hard-hitting process for the operating system.

• Managing memory

The operating system provides the memory for the programs that are executed at any moment. So the operating system should have good memory allocation facility to execute the programs smoothly. The prioritization and allocation of memory to the applications running should be taken care by the operating systems.

• Networking

Today computers are nothing without internet connection or some network connection. This is the age of networking. So if computers are connected to a network, the there should be definitely communication between one computer and another. So the operating system is what makes it possible for one computer to communicate with other computers.

• Security

Security is the important feature that should be looked for in an operating system. An operating system in the computer takes care of all security issues of computer and data in it. Log in passwords, firewall settings, and every such aspect related to security depends on the ability of the operating system. Some of the computers in network may involve in file sharing, and other data sharing. So it is important in such cases to have powerful secured operating systems.