CPT 304 Operating Systems Theory & Design Week 5 Final Project.

Feature & structures of contemporary operating systems.

Describe features of contemporary operating systems and their structures

An operating system is one of the essential programs loaded as the computer booted. Beginning computers like the Z1 1936 – 1938 ran from punch card input without an operating system. Communication between the user and a system requires an operating system (Great Learning Team, 2022). Operating systems like MS-DOS use a command line operating system. Modern Operating systems like Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Android, and iOS use a graphic user interface (GUI). Other types of operating systems are Batch, Distributed, Multitasking, Network, Real-OS, and Mobile OS (Great Learning Team, 2022). The user interface, system interface, and input/output devices communicate with the operating system through hardware and software. The Kernel is the main component of an operating system and manages system resources and other vital services. The shell is the outer part of an operating system that manages the relations between the user and the operating system. It asks the user for input, interprets it for the operating system, and manages output from the system (Great Learning Team, 2022). The main functions of an operating system are process management, memory management, I/O device management, Storage and file management, Protection and security, Error detection, and application scheduling (Silberschatz, Galvin, & Gagne, 2014). The operating system provides a place to run programs, controls memory management and CPU scheduling, manage files, networks, security, user interaction, and system services. It gives programmers easy access to design new operating systems and applications (Silberschatz, Galvin, & Gagne, 2014). Operating systems are great for user I/O and help make the processing and exchange of information fast and efficient.

Discuss how operating systems enable processes to share and exchange information.

Process Execution Synchronization & Threads.

The operating system manages processes by creating new processes, scheduling processes, terminating processes, waiting on instruction or interrupting processes, and deadlock. The traffic controller assigns the processor a task and stops it when it is not needed or needs to be delayed by another process. When multithreading is utilized, multiple processes can share resources, and inter¬-process communication allows sharing memory and message passing to control buffering of processes for fast and efficient use of multiple threads. The operating system can avoid a deadlock or endless waiting state by giving notice of all needed resources before the process is executed. Process swapping helps keep waiting processes from waiting for too long. Proper parallel programming utilizes the multicores and threads unless the process is waiting on a series process like printing to a printer. However, critical problems can arise when multiple processes share the same resources and can not execute processes simultaneously. Solutions are mutual exclusion, progress requirement, and bound waiting (Silberschatz, Galvin, & Gagne, 2014). Computers have improved speed and efficiency over the years, and memory requirements have increased. Using virtual memory technics is one way to solve memory issues.

Explain how main memory and virtual memory can solve memory management issues.

Memory Management.

Dynamic Storage Memory Allocation.

Some programs may use more main memory than is necessary to run. Physical memory can be overloaded because of extra programming for security, error predicting, and other instructions that are not needed at the time. Virtual memory management can be utilized to shrink the amount of memory a program uses. If a program requires the extra programming, it can always request to have the instruction moved up the memory hierarchy and added as needed. Many memory allocation schemes can allow the best use of memory resources for future retrieving and storing of instructions and data. Virtual memory uses software and hardware to support physical memory shortages by using disk storage as a temporary storage location from random access memory (RAM). Virtual memory uses logical addresses in a memory map, segmentation paging that the user sees, but the user does not know the physical address (Silberschatz, Galvin, & Gagne, 2014). Memory management is a necessary feature of the operating system to store data and files properly.

Explain how files, mass storage, and I/O are handled in a modern computer system.

Storage Management.

Efficient file management is determined by the size of storage available, hardware speed, and software algorithms created for best file management. Files are usually stored in folders or directories. Directory logical structures determine if files can be retrieved by only one user or accessed and shared by multiple users. The file system determines who gets specific resources. It gives and takes away resources depending on what-when-why it is needed (Silberschatz, Galvin, & Gagne, 2014). The operating system is stored in permanent storage where it can be retrieved along with other applications when the computer is turned on.

The operating system looks over the input/output management to oversee the multiple devices. It determines when or if a process can control a device and for how long a period of control. It communicates the allocation and deallocation control of devices efficiently. The kernel module controls a device with software like a device driver (Silberschatz, Galvin, & Gagne, 2014). The operating system controls the devices and allows or disallows user and program access to resources for efficiency, security, and protection.

Outline the mechanisms necessary to control the access of programs or users to the resources defined by a computer system.

Security

Protection

The operating system is tasked with protecting itself and users from other users and unintended self-harm. Algorithms, software, and hardware device protocols are implemented to prevent unauthorized access to systems and information. Users have control measures of dual authentication and token devices. Correctly set firewalls, antivirus, spyware, and access permissions to information or system access can be structured to allow authorized users ease of access and unauthorized users out. Multiple layers of security, access matrixes, and policies are needed to keep unwanted access or malicious acts to confidential files or systems (Silberschatz, Galvin, & Gagne, 2014). Security and preventive protection measures can help keep systems safe and secure from attacks and accidental access while maintaining normal operations.

Recommend how you will use these concepts about operating systems theory in future courses and/or future jobs.

These concepts will help understand future coarse concepts and structures based on operation system theories. Programming future applications and systems will implement efficient safeguards and complete hardware and software utilization. Future career development can ensure a safe environment and protection from unauthorized and system infiltration. Whether working on a single system or a whole network of systems, these concepts will significantly impact everyone’s future.

 

References

Great Learning Team (2 February 2022) What is Operating System and Types of Operating System.              Retrieved from https://www.mygreatlearning.com/blog/what-is-operating-system/

Silberschatz, A., Galvin, P. B., & Gagne, G. (2014). Operating system concepts essentials (2nd ed.).             Retrieved from https://redshelf.com/