What is an Operating System?
•
A program that acts as an intermediary between a user of
a computer and the
computer hardware
•
Operating system goals:
•
Execute user programs and make
solving user problems easier
•
Make the computer system convenient to use
•
Use the computer hardware in an efficient manner
•
Every computer depends on an
operating system
to:
•
Keep
hardware running efficiently
•
Maintains file system
•
Supports
multitasking
•
Manages
virtual memory
•
Operating system runs continuously
when computer is on
What the Operating System Does