File Management
File management is a key function of the Operating System. The OS must effectively manage reading and writing data from different storage media, using different file systems and different disk access methods. The OS may also choose to cache data to improve performance of disks.
Managing Your Memory
Another key role of the Operating System is to manage memory resources, there are two separate conceptual levels of memory. Firstly, physical memory - this is what the operating system sees, and it relates directly to your actual physical hardware. Secondly, there is virtual memory, which is what a programmer will see when developing an application to run within an operating system. Virtual memory is viewed as limitless, and is not dependent on the physical memory available - so applications can be programmed to run on systems with different physical memory capabilities.
Process Management
A process is a program in execution. The distinction is that a program is a static bit of code; the process is the instance of that program being executed. For example, if the same program is running twice, the program will be loaded into memory once, but it will have two processes - one for each instance of the program.
The operating system maintains information about all the processes in the process control block (PCB). The contains information such as the process’s unique ID, the current state of the process (explained in a moment), the program counter, pointers to allocated memory space and resources, CPU time used so far, and estimated time to completion.
I/O Control in Operating Systems
The I/O bus allows communications with hardware devices; each device on the bus has an address, and is instructed when to transmit and receive data. A device controller sits between the storage device and the bus, to provide a generic interface for the hardware to connect to. Software known as device drivers will allow the operating system to manage the actions which must take place to correctly communicate with different devices.
Introducing Operating Systems
The operating system is a set of programs which manages the operation of a computer. It sits between the hardware and the user to provide an interface by which to control processes and devices on the computer. The operating system has four primary functions which are all dealt with in separate posts.
- Process Management [Read More]
- Memory Management [Read More]
- I/O Control [Read More]
- File Management [Read More]
Logical and Physical Drives
"But there are two drives in 'My Computer' but when I look inside the case, there's only one. How does that work?"
Some notes from aaaaages ago, not necessarily part of our syllabus.
There's are marked difference between physical disks and logical disks. The best way to get a feel for this is to look at the "Disk Management" snap-in of "Computer Management". Looking at the bottom half of the console, you'll see your physical disks running down the side, and within them are your logical disks. One physical disk may contain a number of logical disks, which are partitions of the physical disk.
Tweets
- The @hi_lights_tv boys are playing International Rescue again #fb http://t.co/fqgUmQFQ 4 hours ago
- "wetter than an otters pocket" #fb 18 hours ago
- went to Palace Green Library for the first time ever today. Don't think I really missed much. #ThingsIWontMissAboutDurham #fb 23 hours ago
- Good day at the tank factory. Very upset we're not allowed to drive any of them though :-( #fb 2012/01/25
Lifestream
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Checked in at Tennyson House— 23h ago via Foursquare
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Checked in at Durham University Library | Palace Green— 1d ago via Foursquare
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Checked in at Hi-Lights— 1d ago via Foursquare
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Checked in at The Mill House— February 1st via Foursquare
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Checked in at Hi-Lights— February 1st via Foursquare
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Listened to 13 songs.— January 31st via Last.fm
- DJ Food – GIANT
- DJ Food – Magpie Music
- The Eagles – Hotel California
- DJ Food – Prey
- DJ Food – The Illectrik Hoax
- DJ Food – Sentinel (Shadow Guard)
- DJ Food – A Trick of the Ear - Album Edit
- DJ Food – Percussion Map (Pt. 1)
- DJ Food – outermission: sheer fiction
- DJ Food – Colours Beyond Colours
- DJ Food – All Covered In Darkness (Pt. 1)
- DJ Food – intermission: a new language
- DJ Food – In Orbit Every Monday
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Checked in at Tennyson House— January 31st via Foursquare