OPERATING SYSTEMS

An Operating System is a program that acts as an intermediary between a user of a computer and the computer hardware.

Objectives of Operating System are:

• Convenience:

- for small PC’s.

• Efficiency:

- for large, shared multi user systems since they are expensive.

• Ability to evolve

The OS controls and coordinates the use of hardware among the various application programs for various users. OS is like a government. Like government, it performs no function by itself. It simply provides an environment within which other programs can do useful work. OS is a Resource Allocation.