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| OPERATING
SYSTEM _ INTRODUCTION |
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| Operating
System Views: |
We
can explore operating systems in two view points:
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User View |
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System View |
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| User
View |
In
a single-user experience, the goal will be to maximize
the work that the user is performing. In this case
the operating system is designed mostly for ease of
use.
But in the case of multi-user environment (such as
main frame or minicomputer), users share resources
and may exchange information. The operating system
in such cases is designed to maximize resource utilization,
resources such as available CPU time, memory and I/O.
Users sit at workstations connected to networks of
other workstations and servers share resources such
as networking and servers – files, compute,
and print servers. Here the operating system is designed
to compromise between individual usability and resource
utilization.
Users of modern handheld computers and instruments
connected to networks, either directly by wire or
through wireless perform relatively few remote operations,
because of power, speed and interface limitations.
Their operating systems are designed mostly for individual
usability, and other resource constraints such as
battery life.
Operating systems in embedded computers in home devices
and automobiles are designed primarily to run without
much user intervention.
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| System
View |
In
the context of computer’s point of view, the
operating system can be viewed as a resource allocator
and a control program. A computer system has many
resources such as CPU time, memory space, file-storage
space, I/O devices, and so on. The operating system
acts as the manager of these resources. The operating
system must decide how to allocate them to specific
programs and users so that it can operate the computer
system efficiently and fairly.
As a control program control program, the operating
system manages the execution of user programs to prevent
errors and improper use of the computer. It is especially
concerned with the operation and control of I/O devices.
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