Computer Science – Software | e-Consult

The operating system (OS) is a fundamental piece of software that manages computer hardware and software resources. Its primary role is to provide a platform for applications to run and to facilitate interaction between the user and the computer. Essentially, the OS acts as a bridge between the hardware and the software.

Role of the OS:

• Resource Management: The OS manages all system resources, including the CPU, memory, storage devices (like hard drives and SSDs), and peripherals (like printers and keyboards). It allocates these resources to different programs as needed.
• Process Management: The OS creates, schedules, and terminates processes (running programs). It ensures that multiple programs can run concurrently without interfering with each other.
• Memory Management: The OS allocates and deallocates memory to programs, preventing conflicts and ensuring efficient use of available memory. It uses techniques like virtual memory to extend the available memory.
• Input/Output (I/O) Management: The OS handles communication between hardware devices and software applications. It provides drivers that allow programs to interact with specific devices.
• User Interface: The OS provides a user interface (e.g., graphical user interface - GUI or command-line interface - CLI) that allows users to interact with the computer.

Intermediary Function: The OS provides a set of system calls that applications can use to request services from the hardware. Instead of applications directly accessing hardware, they make requests to the OS, which then handles the low-level details of interacting with the hardware. This abstraction simplifies application development and ensures system stability. This separation also enhances security, as the OS can control access to hardware resources.