Operating system and functions

• 'Application'


  • Can be used interchangeably to describe computer software
• Natural language interface


  • Responds to questions in spoken language, not always reliable but improving
• GUI (graphical user interface)


  • WIMP (Windows, icons, menu, pointer), visual, interactive, intuitive, optimised for mouse and touch gesture input
• Menu-driven interface

  • Successive menus presented to users, single options chosen at each stage, often with buttons on a keypad, common in embedded systems
• CLI (command line interface)


  • Text-based, user enters specific commands to complete tasks, less resource-heavy but not visual, suitable for advanced users
• Multi-tasking


  • OS provides a platform to run applications, OSs that can run multiple applications at the same time are called multi-tasking OSs
• Operating system (OS)


  • Manages hardware and runs software, acts as an interface between a user and the hardware
• File management

  Organisation of data into a usable hierarchical structure, OS performs tasks such as naming, saving, movement, editing, and deletion of files and folders
• Memory management


  OS oversees the allocation and management of RAM space, uses virtual memory when RAM is full
• Device drivers

  • Software used by operating systems to communicate with internal hardware or peripherals, act as translators for signals between OS and hardware
• User management


  OS provides for different users to log into a computer, retains settings for each user, allows allocation of specific users to software or network parts, protects personal files and programs