Operating systems

1. Operating Systems

An operating system is the core software that controls how a computer operates.

Well known operating systems include Windows, Linux, Unix, iOS and Android. Although these operating systems are very different in terms of the code they run, they do share a common purpose.

They need to:-

• Control the hardware of the computer system. e.g. hard disk, graphics card, mouse.
• Manage software, in terms of loading (and unloading) into main memory.
• Provide security, such as user name and password control.
• Provide a user interface, to allow a person to interact with the computer.
• File management, including managing files and folders