Chapter 12 - Operating Systems

Abstract

This chapter discusses operating systems. Systems programs control the operation of the computer and applications programs instruct the computer how to solve specific user problems. The set of systems programs on a computer is called that computer's operating system. Operating systems are primarily resource managers; they manage computer hardware, programs, and data. Operating systems handle the assignment of portions of the hardware to individual users, charge those users for the resources, manage the hardware to achieve efficient operation while guaranteeing good service, and make it possible for many users to share a computer at one time without interfering with one another. They handle input and output to the various devices, manage the creation and manipulation of files, and facilitate the loading and execution of programs. Operating systems do not perform all these functions without cost. They occupy primary storage locations, use the processor, and occupy secondary storage space on disk. The operating system's use of resources is called overhead. The tradeoff is simply that the benefits gained by using the operating system should far outweigh the overhead.