An operating system is a set of programs that allows a user to execute one or more tasks on the computer. Thus, the operating system acts as an intermediary between the user and the computer, serving as the basic software that provides the interface between all other programs and hardware devices (such as the monitor, keyboard, speakers, or microphone).
- It may be useful to you: What are the operating systems?
Functions of operating systems
Thus, the functions that every operating system performs are varied, but the most notable is initializing the computer’s hardware; then providing basic routines to control devices; managing, reorganizing, and interacting with each other; and, above all, maintaining system integrity. Both threats (viruses) and prevention tools ( antivirus ) are designed specifically for the security of operating systems.
Structure of operating systems
In fact, the structure of an operating system is made up of five major ‘layers’ or stages, each of which has a series of associated functions:
- Core. This is the tool that manages all processes, keeping track of all assets and planning them. This includes selecting the processor time each one will use, so it’s a very important step that requires a lot of intelligence.
- Basic input and output. Provides primitive functions associated with secondary memory management, providing the tools necessary for locating and interpreting data blocks on the hard drive, but without going into great detail.
- Memory management. Manages RAM, allocating and releasing a portion of the computer’s memory to processes.
- File system. Provides the functions necessary to store information in files.
- Command interpreter. Where the user-visible interface is located. This is refined and configured according to user convenience.
Classification of operating systems
There are different ways to classify and subdivide operating systems. The criteria are listed below, followed by the different groups formed based on them:
According to the task management mode:
- Single-tasking. Only one process can be executed at a time. It cannot interrupt running processes.
- Multitasking. It is capable of running multiple processes at the same time. It is capable of allocating resources alternately to the processes that request them, so the user perceives that they are all working simultaneously.
According to the user management mode:
- Single-user. Only one user’s programs can be run at a time.
- Multi-user. It allows multiple users to run their programs simultaneously, accessing the computer’s resources at the same time.
According to the way resources are managed:
- Centralized. If you allow the use of the resources of a single computer.
- Distributed. It allows you to use the resources of more than one computer at the same time.
The history of Windows
There are several different operating systems on the market, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Among them, the most popular is Windows , founded in 1975 by Bill Gates, which introduced the first version of an operating system that rapidly evolved and added features. The first version was released in 1981 with a few new features, but just four years later, the system became popular with the first version of Windows, version 1.0.
Since then, features have increased exponentially, and versions of Windows like 98, 2000, and XP have been very popular. The most recent is Windows 7, released in 2008, with notable advances such as support for virtual hard drives and improved performance on multi-core processors. A similar development has occurred with the advancement of other operating systems, most notably the open source Linux.
Operating systems on the Internet
Of course, the conventional definition of operating systems predates the existence of the Internet, which reshaped our entire understanding of computers. It’s possible that different operating systems will give way to a single Internet operating system, where everything depends on the cloud. This would significantly change the way computers are used because it wouldn’t be necessary to download or install any software, as is the case with servers like Orkut.
Based on the existence of the Internet, a new classification of operating systems is opened, referring to the way in which users access services: network operating systems are those that have the capacity to interact with operating systems of other computers in order to exchange information, while distributed operating systems cover network services, but also integrate resources into a single virtual machine that the user accesses transparently.
