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Operating System
An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It
manages the computer’s memory, processes data and controls all its software
as well as hardware. It serves as an interface between the user and the hardware.
Without an operating system, a computer is useless.
Types of operating systems: Operating systems usually come preloaded on any
computer you buy. Most people use the operating system that comes with their
computer, but it is possible to upgrade or even change the preloaded operating
system.
The three most common operating systems for personal computers are Microsoft
Windows, Mac OS and Linux. Other known names are iMac, UNIX and DOS.
Functions of an Operating System
An operating system performs three types of functions:
✶ Manages computer resources
Coordinates memory and processing Clickipedia
storage
Booting is a process that loads
Controls all the computer resources.
the operating system and
Monitors systems performance
Provides security prepares the system for use.
Starts-up the computer
✶ Provides user interface
The interface can be Character User Interface (CUI) or Graphical User Interface
(GUI)
✶ Runs applications through
Multitasking
Foreground and background applications
Programming Software
It is the software used by the computer to understand and convert the instructions by
programming language into machine language(0s and 1s). Compilers, assemblers,
debuggers, interpreters, etc. are examples of programming software.
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