Operating System

An Operating System (OS) is a crucial piece of software that manages a computer’s hardware resources and provides an interface for users and applications to interact with the system. It ensures efficient utilization of memory, processing power, and other resources.

List of Popular Operating Systems

1. Microsoft Windows
2. Apple macOS
3. Sun Solaris
4. Fedora
5. Red Hat Linux
6. OpenSUSE
7. Ubuntu
8. Puppy Linux
9. IBM AIX

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)

BIOS stands for Basic Input-Output System. It is a small but vital program stored in ROM (Read-Only Memory) that helps initialize and control a computer during startup. BIOS performs hardware checks and loads the operating system from the storage device into memory.

Functionalities of BIOS

1. Interprets keystrokes from the keyboard and stores input data in main memory.
2. Controls display and printer operations.
3. Handles input/output via other communication ports.

Types of Operating Systems

1. Windows – Developed by Microsoft; one of the most widely used desktop operating systems.
2. UNIX / Linux – Open-source and secure systems often used for servers and development.
3. HP-UX – Developed by Hewlett-Packard, mainly used in enterprise systems.
4. Solaris – Developed by Sun Microsystems, popular for its scalability and security.
5. macOS – Developed by Apple for Macintosh computers, known for stability and user experience.

Responsibilities of an Operating System

An operating system performs several critical tasks to ensure smooth operation of a computer system:

1. Program and Process Management

   • Initiates and terminates programs or processes.

2. Resource Allocation

   • Ensures the availability of system resources and allocates them efficiently to active processes.

3. CPU Scheduling

   • Determines when and how long a process should use the CPU.

4. Data and Program Protection

   • Protects system data and applications from unauthorized access or interference from other users.