Difference between revisions of "Operating Systems"
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| + | Lei Liu's comment: Your introduction is good, i like this part.It's very suitable for the audience. But i think the body content is not enough, you should give audience more information about OS, maybe you could write your personal exprience about using OS. You should have at least one picture. | ||
Revision as of 01:57, 1 December 2008
IntroductionAn operating system (OS or O/S) is the software responsible for coordinating and managing the movement and processing of data on a computer. The O/S allows the user to access application software, such as a word processor, using hardware like a mouse and keyboard. The application software also requires the O/S in order to access hardware such as the disk when it is writing to memory. Without the O/S, the elements of a computer would have no way of communicating with each other and nothing would get done. When an application is asked to start, the O/S will allocate RAM, meaning it will set aside space in memory for the application to run then start the application running. [1] Having an operating system means applications do not have to know how hardware works in order to use it. Much like we don’t need to know how a car engine works, just that it will do what we ask when we turn the key or press the brake.
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Types of Operating Systems
Different types of operating systems are designed based on the types of applications it will run and the type of computer it will be run on.
Lei Liu's commment:A liitle confused about what's the above sentence mean, could you explain more clearly or give some examples.
- Real-time operating system (RTOS) - The RTOS has very little user-interface because the user doesn't need to input much information. Instead, it is designed to perform a few particular tasks. The RTOS must run each task in the same amount of time each time it is run. Used in machinery and household appliance controllers such as a programmable thermostat.
- Single-user, single task - Designed so one user can do one task at a time. The O/S doesn't have to worry about managing memory or hardware across different applications. A good example is the Palm OS in Palm handheld computers.
Lei Liu's comment:I made a little change for the second sentence: This type O/X doesn't have to worry about.........
- Single-user, multi-tasking - A user can run several applications at the same time with each application getting access to the hardware it needs. For example, as you are reading this Wiki, you may also be running a music program or checking Facebook at the same time. This is the most common O/S as it appears on most laptop and desktop computers.
- Multi-user - Several users can access applications at the same time while the O/S manages the computer's resources so each application gets a fair share of the computer resources.
Lei Liu' comment: I think adding a comma is better: Several users.......computer's resources, so each application......
Operating Systems are also grouped by their method of interacting with the user, known as the interface.
- Command Based - The user must remember several commands and type each command on the keyboard as needed
- GUI Based - GUI is a graphical user interface which is more familiar and easier to use. The user makes requests using the mouse in a point-and-click style. This is how most systems appear to the user.
The retail sales obtained by the following brands or company's contribute to almost all operating systems found on machines today
- Windows by Microsoft - 90% of computers
- Mac by Apple - just over 8% of computers
- Linux - a collaborative effort, 0.71% of computers
The remainder is made up of several other operating systems or modifications of those listed above such as those found on Sony's Playstation and the Nintendo Wii[2]
These percentages were calculated in October of 2008.
Further Readings
- How Stuff Works Learn how specific operating systems work, such as Windows Vista. Also find more information on the history and future of operating systems.
- Computer Hope Important definitions and news from Apple, Microsoft and Linux/Unix
References
- ↑ COMP 1260 Course Notes Fall 2008 http://www.cs.umanitoba.ca/~comp1260/Notes/02_whatis08c.pdf
- ↑ Market Share by Net Applications http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=8
Lei Liu's comment: Your introduction is good, i like this part.It's very suitable for the audience. But i think the body content is not enough, you should give audience more information about OS, maybe you could write your personal exprience about using OS. You should have at least one picture.
