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Function of OS

An operating system performs several key functions including memory management, processor management, device management, file management, and other important activities. It allocates and manages primary memory, decides which processes get processor time, manages communication with devices, keeps track of files and file locations, and provides security, performance monitoring, job accounting, and error detection aids.

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26 views2 pages

Function of OS

An operating system performs several key functions including memory management, processor management, device management, file management, and other important activities. It allocates and manages primary memory, decides which processes get processor time, manages communication with devices, keeps track of files and file locations, and provides security, performance monitoring, job accounting, and error detection aids.

Uploaded by

Shrimp Mantis
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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10/4/21, 4:17 AM Operating System - Overview

Job accounting
Error detecting aids
Coordination between other software and users

Memory Management
Memory management refers to management of Primary Memory or Main Memory. Main memory is
a large array of words or bytes where each word or byte has its own address.
Main memory provides a fast storage that can be accessed directly by the CPU. For a program to
be executed, it must in the main memory. An Operating System does the following activities for
memory management −
Keeps tracks of primary memory, i.e., what part of it are in use by whom, what part are not
in use.
In multiprogramming, the OS decides which process will get memory when and how much.
Allocates the memory when a process requests it to do so.
De-allocates the memory when a process no longer needs it or has been terminated.

Processor Management
In multiprogramming environment, the OS decides which process gets the processor when and for
how much time. This function is called process scheduling. An Operating System does the
following activities for processor management −

Keeps tracks of processor and status of process. The program responsible for this task is
known as traffic controller.
Allocates the processor (CPU) to a process.

De-allocates processor when a process is no longer required.

Device Management

An Operating System manages device communication via their respective drivers. It does the
following activities for device management −
Keeps tracks of all devices. Program responsible for this task is known as the I/O
controller.

Decides which process gets the device when and for how much time.

Allocates the device in the efficient way.


De-allocates devices.

File Management

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10/4/21, 4:17 AM Operating System - Overview

A file system is normally organized into directories for easy navigation and usage. These
directories may contain files and other directions.
An Operating System does the following activities for file management −
Keeps track of information, location, uses, status etc. The collective facilities are often
known as file system.
Decides who gets the resources.
Allocates the resources.
De-allocates the resources.

Other Important Activities

Following are some of the important activities that an Operating System performs −

Security − By means of password and similar other techniques, it prevents unauthorized


access to programs and data.
Control over system performance − Recording delays between request for a service and
response from the system.

Job accounting − Keeping track of time and resources used by various jobs and users.
Error detecting aids − Production of dumps, traces, error messages, and other debugging
and error detecting aids.

Coordination between other softwares and users − Coordination and assignment of


compilers, interpreters, assemblers and other software to the various users of the
computer systems.

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