a) Priority
b) Round Robin
c) Shortest Job First
d) All of the mentioned
An operating system (OS) is the fundamental software that manages a computer’s hardware and software resources. It serves as an intermediary between the user and the computer, providing a user interface and controlling the execution of applications.
Core Functions of an Operating System:
- Resource Management:
- Manages the CPU, memory, storage, and input/output devices efficiently.
- Allocates resources to different processes and applications.
- Handles resource sharing and conflict resolution.
- Process Management:
- Controls the creation, execution, and termination of processes.
- Manages the process lifecycle, including states like running, waiting, and ready.
- Implements scheduling algorithms to determine which process gets the CPU.
- Memory Management:
- Allocates and deallocates memory to processes.
- Handles memory protection to prevent unauthorized access.
- Implements memory swapping and paging techniques.
- File Management:
- Organizes and stores data on storage devices.
- Provides file creation, deletion, reading, and writing operations.
- Implements file systems to structure and manage files.
- Input/Output (I/O) Handling:
- Manages communication between the computer and external devices.
- Handles data transfer and device control.
- Provides buffering and caching mechanisms for efficient I/O operations.
- User Interface:
- Provides a way for users to interact with the computer.
- Can be command-line, graphical, or touch-based.
- Handles user input and displays system information.
In essence, the operating system acts as the conductor of a complex orchestra, ensuring that all hardware and software components work together seamlessly to deliver the desired functionality to the user.