Functions of the Operating System

Resource Allocation

Input/Output

File management

User interface

Memory management

The five main functions of the OS concerning Input/Output are:

This section of the operating system organises and keeps track of files.
The functions of file management are:

  • Keep timing between devices and the processor consistent and aligned
  • Providing a connection between the file the user sees and the file's actual location
  • Allowing the data in files to be altered, such as creating, altering or deleting files
  • Maintaining a directory of where files are stored on the storage devices
  • Requesting the transfer of data with input or output devices

The functions of a UI are:

  • Ensuring all devices are ready to communicate with the processor
  • The user performs an action and the UI processes it and sends it the appropriate part of the OS. (Such as mouse clicks and menu selections.)
  • Ensures all data is transferred correctly
  • Maintain the speed of transfer between main memory and the processors

The function of Resource Allocation on an operating system is:

  • Stopping a process and restoring the system facilities so that they can be accessed by other processes
  • Allocating resources to processes. (Such as memory, files or buffers)
  • Scheduling time spent by the processor conducting operations
  • Regulating process to search for errors

Memory management is concerned with how data is stored in the main memory.

The three main functions of memory management are

  • Loading programs into memory so they all have the correctly allocated amount of memory.
  • Keeping an eye of what goes in and out of memory.
  • Keeping track of used memory so it can be freed up when no longer in use.
  • The user interface (UI) involves how the user of the OS interacts with the computer