abishek0411/operating-systems

Some of the OS practical lab session programs I learnt

An operating system (OS) is a crucial software component that acts as an intermediary between computer hardware and user applications. It provides a set of services and functionalities that enable users and applications to interact with the computer hardware efficiently. Here are key aspects of operating systems:

1. Kernel: The core component of an operating system is the kernel. It manages the computer's hardware and provides essential services, such as process scheduling, memory management, file system management, and device input/output.

2. Process Management: The OS is responsible for managing processes, which are instances of executing programs. It allocates resources, such as CPU time and memory, to processes and ensures their proper execution. Process scheduling determines the order in which processes are executed.

3. Memory Management: Operating systems manage a computer's memory hierarchy, including RAM and secondary storage. They allocate memory to processes, ensuring efficient utilization and preventing conflicts between different programs.

4. File System Management: The file system is responsible for organizing and storing data on storage devices. The OS provides a file system that allows users to create, modify, and organize files and directories. It also handles file permissions and access control.

5. Device Management: Operating systems control and coordinate communication between software and hardware devices. They provide device drivers to enable applications to interact with peripheral devices such as printers, keyboards, and storage devices.

6. User Interface: The user interface allows users to interact with the computer. Operating systems can have command-line interfaces (CLI) or graphical user interfaces (GUI). GUIs provide a more intuitive and user-friendly experience.

7. Security and Protection: Operating systems implement security measures to protect the system and its data from unauthorized access and malicious software. This includes user authentication, access controls, and encryption.

8. Networking: Modern operating systems often include networking capabilities, enabling communication between computers in a network. They manage network connections, protocols, and data transmission.

9. Error Handling: Operating systems handle errors and exceptions that may occur during the execution of programs. They provide mechanisms for error detection, reporting, and recovery.

10. Multitasking and Multiprocessing: Operating systems support multitasking, allowing multiple applications to run concurrently. Multiprocessing involves managing multiple processors, optimizing system performance.

Popular Operating Systems:

Microsoft Windows: Widely used in personal computers.

macOS: Developed by Apple for Macintosh computers.

Linux: An open-source OS kernel used in various distributions (distros) such as Ubuntu, Fedora, and Debian.

In conclusion, operating systems form the foundation of modern computing, enabling efficient interaction between hardware and software. They provide essential services for process management, memory allocation, file storage, and user interface, contributing to the overall functionality and usability of computing devices.