Now that we are done with the types of operating system, let us take a look at what are the features that a particular operating system should have. Some of these features are a part of all operating systems, while some of them may or may not be available in the operating system you are using.
Managing Hardware and Software
As already mentioned, it is the computer operating system that causes the hardware and software in a computer to interact with each other. It is also the platform that causes one software in the computer to communicate with another. Once the operating system in a computer loads during the booting up process, other application software can be loaded into the computer.
Consistent Application Program Interface
Application Program Interface which software development professionals refer to as APIs allow the applications that run on one computer to run on another computer having the same operating system. It is thus important that the operating system has a consistent API. Undoubtedly, every operating system will have certain requirements, but it should be flexible enough to support computer hardware from different vendors.
Program Execution
It is up to the operating system to execute all the programs running in it. It is a rather complicated process. It may have to allow multitasking and allow different programs to run at the same time and share the system resources. It needs to allot RAM space to different applications running on the computer. The execution of more than one program may also require the operating system to prioritize the operations running on the computer.
Interrupts
The operating system needs to support a good number of interrupts to react with the immediate external environment. On receiving an interrupt it should have the capability to stop the current execution and start off a new process. Interrupting is not a very simple process. On receiving an interrupt, the computer operating system should be such that they immediately save the status of the current applications and start executing the code of that particular interrupt.
Memory Management
As already mentioned in the section on program execution, it is up to the computer operating system to provide memory to the different programs running on the computer. It has to prioritize and allocate memory to each application. Even when data is saved in a secondary storage device, it is the operating system, that decides how should that particular chunk of information be stored.
Accessing Data
The data required by any particular application software for its smooth running needs to be accessed by the operating system. The operating system stores data in a particular storage area in such a way that the data can be retrieved as and when required. The file system that different computers use may be different. The operating system needs to support these different file systems. Let us try to understand this with an example. Some computers may be using the FAT 32 file system, while some may be using the NTFS file system. Irrespective of which file system is being used, the operating system should provide support for the same. However, not all operating systems support all types of file systems.
Networking
We are in the age of networking. Computers need to communicate with each other. A computer without Internet is not even imaginable. It is the task of the operating system to provide the required networking features. It should have features to allow two or more computers to connect and form a network or connect to the Internet.
Security
Last but not the least, in today's age, security that an operating system should provide is undoubtedly one of its most important features. Right from setting passwords for logging in, to providing firewall protection; everything comes under the tasks of an operating system. Some network utilities may need file sharing, printer sharing and using TCP/IP protocols. Hence, it becomes very important for the computer operating system to provide proper security so that the computer's security is not compromised in such cases.
Let us now take a look at the details of the different operating systems available in the market. Here, we will take a look at only the most popular operating systems and of course, these are the operating systems which you would want to know about.
Managing Hardware and Software
As already mentioned, it is the computer operating system that causes the hardware and software in a computer to interact with each other. It is also the platform that causes one software in the computer to communicate with another. Once the operating system in a computer loads during the booting up process, other application software can be loaded into the computer.
Consistent Application Program Interface
Application Program Interface which software development professionals refer to as APIs allow the applications that run on one computer to run on another computer having the same operating system. It is thus important that the operating system has a consistent API. Undoubtedly, every operating system will have certain requirements, but it should be flexible enough to support computer hardware from different vendors.
Program Execution
It is up to the operating system to execute all the programs running in it. It is a rather complicated process. It may have to allow multitasking and allow different programs to run at the same time and share the system resources. It needs to allot RAM space to different applications running on the computer. The execution of more than one program may also require the operating system to prioritize the operations running on the computer.
Interrupts
The operating system needs to support a good number of interrupts to react with the immediate external environment. On receiving an interrupt it should have the capability to stop the current execution and start off a new process. Interrupting is not a very simple process. On receiving an interrupt, the computer operating system should be such that they immediately save the status of the current applications and start executing the code of that particular interrupt.
Memory Management
As already mentioned in the section on program execution, it is up to the computer operating system to provide memory to the different programs running on the computer. It has to prioritize and allocate memory to each application. Even when data is saved in a secondary storage device, it is the operating system, that decides how should that particular chunk of information be stored.
Accessing Data
The data required by any particular application software for its smooth running needs to be accessed by the operating system. The operating system stores data in a particular storage area in such a way that the data can be retrieved as and when required. The file system that different computers use may be different. The operating system needs to support these different file systems. Let us try to understand this with an example. Some computers may be using the FAT 32 file system, while some may be using the NTFS file system. Irrespective of which file system is being used, the operating system should provide support for the same. However, not all operating systems support all types of file systems.
Networking
We are in the age of networking. Computers need to communicate with each other. A computer without Internet is not even imaginable. It is the task of the operating system to provide the required networking features. It should have features to allow two or more computers to connect and form a network or connect to the Internet.
Security
Last but not the least, in today's age, security that an operating system should provide is undoubtedly one of its most important features. Right from setting passwords for logging in, to providing firewall protection; everything comes under the tasks of an operating system. Some network utilities may need file sharing, printer sharing and using TCP/IP protocols. Hence, it becomes very important for the computer operating system to provide proper security so that the computer's security is not compromised in such cases.
Let us now take a look at the details of the different operating systems available in the market. Here, we will take a look at only the most popular operating systems and of course, these are the operating systems which you would want to know about.
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